{"id":"sr:magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025","name":"Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025","slug":"magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":183959,"registerId":"vic-sr:magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025","content":"Version No. 001\n\n**Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 132/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n9 December 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Rule Page*\n\nOrder 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Objects 1\n\n2 Authorising provisions 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocations 1\n\n5 Definitions 2\n\nOrder 2—Powers of judicial registrars 3\n\nPart 1—Criminal matters 3\n\n6 Criminal proceedings and related proceedings that may be dealt with by judicial registrars 3\n\n7 Powers of judicial registrars in certain criminal proceedings and certain related proceedings 4\n\nPart 2—Civil matters 5\n\n8 Civil proceedings that may be dealt with by judicial registrars 5\n\n9 Judicial registrars may make final orders by consent 7\n\n10 Judicial registrars cannot deal with claims for equitable relief in a proceeding 7\n\n11 Restrictions on certain powers of judicial registrars in civil proceedings 8\n\n12 Judicial registrars cannot deal with proceedings under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 or Family Law Act 1975 8\n\n13 Judicial registrars cannot exercise powers under Part 8 of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 8\n\nPart 3—General 9\n\n14 Judicial registrars may deal with and exercise the powers of a registrar 9\n\n15 Judicial registrars constitute and are delegated the powers of the Court 9\n\nOrder 3—Review of determinations of judicial registrars 10\n\n16 Application for review of determination of Court constituted by judicial registrar 10\n\n17 Notice to other parties 10\n\n18 Stay 11\n\n19 Determination of application for review 12\n\nForm 1—Application for review 14\n\nSchedule 1—Powers of the Court exercisable by judicial registrars in certain proceedings 15\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 22\n\n1 General information 22\n\n2 Table of Amendments 24\n\n3 Explanatory details 25\n\n**Version No.** **001**\n\n**Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 132/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n9 December 2025\n\nOrder 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Objects\n\nThe objects of these Rules are—\n\n(a) to prescribe proceedings that may be dealt with by the Court constituted by a judicial registrar; and\n\n(b) to delegate to judicial registrars some of the powers of the Court; and\n\n(c) to establish a procedure for the review by the Court of a hearing and determination of a proceeding by the Court constituted by a judicial registrar.\n\n\t2 Authorising provisions\n\nThese Rules are made under sections 16 and 16I of the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989** and all other enabling powers.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Rules come into operation on 9 December 2025.\n\n\t4 Revocations\n\nThe following Rules are **revoked**—\n\n(a) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2015[[1]](#endnote-1);\n\n(b) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Amendment Rules 2018[[2]](#endnote-2);\n\n(c) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Amendment Rules 2019[[3]](#endnote-3);\n\n(d) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Further Amendment Rules 2019[[4]](#endnote-4);\n\n(e) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Amendment Rules 2020[[5]](#endnote-5);\n\n(f) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Amendment Rules 2021[[6]](#endnote-6);\n\n(g) the Magistrates' Court Chapter II and Judicial Registrars Amendment (Federal Jurisdiction Matters) Rules 2021[[7]](#endnote-7);\n\n(h) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Further Amendment Rules 2021[[8]](#endnote-8);\n\n(i) the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Amendment Rules 2022[[9]](#endnote-9).\n\n\t5 Definitions\n\nIn these Rules—\n\n***application for review*** means an application referred to in Rule 16(1);\n\n***determination*** includes a direction, a judgment or an order;\n\n***the Act*** means the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989**.\n\nOrder 2—Powers of judicial registrars\n\nPart 1—Criminal matters\n\n\t6 Criminal proceedings and related proceedings that may be dealt with by judicial registrars\n\nA judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court, except the powers set out in section 16I(b)(i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of the Act, in any of the following proceedings—\n\n(a) a proceeding under Division 3 of Part 4 of the Act in relation to which a registrar may exercise a power under that Division;\n\n(b) a proceeding dealing with any article, thing or material brought before the Court under a search warrant in accordance with section 78(1)(b)(ii) of the Act;\n\n(c) a proceeding under section 88 of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009** in which the sentence was imposed by the Court constituted by a judicial registrar;\n\n(d) a proceeding for an offence which is an infringement offence within the meaning of the **Infringements Act 2006**;\n\n(e) a proceeding under the **Infringements Act 2006** that is not a proceeding of a kind referred to in subparagraph (d), except for a proceeding under section 167 of that Act;\n\n(f) a proceeding under the **Fines Reform Act 2014**, except for a proceeding under section 118(2), 159, 160(1) or (6), 165, 165A, 171B, 171C or 171D of that Act;\n\n(g) a proceeding for an order to remove a prisoner from a prison and to have the prisoner brought before the Court under regulation 23(1) of the Corrections Regulations 2019[[10]](#endnote-10);\n\n(h) a proceeding under a provision specified in an item of column 3 of Schedule 1.\n\n\t7 Powers of judicial registrars in certain criminal proceedings and certain related proceedings\n\n(1) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court under section 59 of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009** in a criminal proceeding for a summary offence or an indictable offence triable summarily.\n\n(2) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court under any of the following provisions in a criminal proceeding for a summary offence or an indictable offence triable summarily—\n\n(a) section 26(2) of the **Bail Act 1977**;\n\n(b) section 80(1)(b), 81 or 330(4) or (5) of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009**.\n\n(3) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court under the following provisions, if the exercise of the power is incidental to the exercise by a judicial registrar of the Court's powers referred to in paragraph (1)—\n\n(a) Division 1 of Part 3 and Part 10 of the **Confiscation Act 1997**;\n\n(b) section 151 of the **Firearms Act 1996**.\n\n(4) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court under section 83AT of the **Sentencing Act 1991** in relation to a contravention of section 83AC of that Act, if the contravention under section 83AC relates to an order made by a judicial registrar under section 72 or 75 of the **Sentencing Act 1991**.\n\n(5) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court under section 61B of the **Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988**.\n\n(6) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in an application referred to in Rule 18(2).\n\nPart 2—Civil matters\n\n\t8 Civil proceedings that may be dealt with by judicial registrars\n\n(1) Subject to Rules 10, 11 and 12, a judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in any of the following proceedings—\n\n(a) a proceeding for a cause of action for damages or a debt or a liquidated demand or under an Act if the amount claimed, or value of relief sought, is less than $25 000;\n\n**Examples**\n\nSubparagraph (a) includes the following—\n\n• a complaint referred to arbitration in accordance with Division 2 of Part 5 of the Act;\n\n• an application for summary judgment under section 63 of the **Civil Procedure Act 2010**;\n\n• a proceeding under section 5, 6 or 7 of the **Instruments Act 1958**.\n\n(b) a proceeding for a cause of action for damages arising from a motor vehicle collision, other than a claim under a contract of insurance relating to the motor vehicle collision;\n\n(c) an interlocutory or other application within a proceeding for a cause of action for damages or a debt or a liquidated demand or under an Act, regardless of the amount claimed or value of relief sought.\n\n**Examples**\n\nSubparagraph (c) includes the following—\n\n• a proceeding or part of a proceeding that has been referred under section 107(1) of the Act;\n\n• an application under section 110 of the Act for an order to set aside a final order in a proceeding made against a person who did not appear in the proceeding and that the proceeding be re-heard;\n\n• a proceeding to which section 128(1) or (3) of the Act applies (power to adjourn proceeding);\n\n• an application under Order 21 of the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020.\n\n(2) Subject to Rules 10 and 11, a judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in a proceeding under the **Fences Act 1968** for an order of the Court under section 30C(1) of that Act.\n\n(3) A judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in any of the following proceedings—\n\n(a) a proceeding under section 5(1), 6(7)(b), 8, 13, 14, 17(2) or 18 of the **Judgment Debt Recovery Act 1984**;\n\n(b) a substituted proceeding within the meaning of section 57A of the **Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998**;\n\n(c) an application referred to in Rule 18(2).\n\n(4) Subject to Rule 13, a judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in a proceeding under the **Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010**.\n\n(5) Despite Rule 10, a judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court in a proceeding under section 234E of the **Building Act 1993**.\n\n\t9 Judicial registrars may make final orders by consent\n\nWithout limiting Rule 8 but subject to Rules 10, 11, 12 and 13, a judicial registrar may, with the consent of the parties to a proceeding, deal with and exercise all or any powers of the Court to make final orders in the proceeding.\n\n\t10 Judicial registrars cannot deal with claims for equitable relief in a proceeding\n\nA judicial registrar cannot deal with and exercise any powers of the Court in a proceeding for a claim for equitable relief, unless these Rules provide otherwise.\n\n**Examples**\n\nA judicial registrar cannot, in a proceeding, do any of the following—\n\n• make a freezing order under Order 37A of the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020;\n\n• make a search order under Order 37B of the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020;\n\n• grant an injunction under Order 38 of the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020.\n\n\t11 Restrictions on certain powers of judicial registrars in civil proceedings\n\nThe powers of a judicial registrar in a proceeding to which Rule 8 applies do not include a power of the Court under any of the following Rules of the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020[[11]](#endnote-11)—\n\n(a) Rules 12.02 and 12.07, if the amount claimed, or value of relief sought, in the proceeding is $25 000 or more;\n\n(b) Rule 15.08(1);\n\n(c) Rule 37.01, other than the power in relation to the inspection of property;\n\n(d) Rule 37.02.\n\n\t12 Judicial registrars cannot deal with proceedings under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 or Family Law Act 1975\n\nA judicial registrar cannot deal with and exercise any powers of the Court in a proceeding under—\n\n(a) the **Family Violence Protection Act 2008**; or\n\n(b) the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth.\n\n\t13 Judicial registrars cannot exercise powers under Part 8 of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010\n\nA judicial registrar cannot deal with and exercise any powers of the Court under Part 8 of the **Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010** in a proceeding under that Act.\n\nPart 3—General\n\n\t14 Judicial registrars may deal with and exercise the powers of a registrar\n\nA judicial registrar may deal with and exercise all or any powers of a registrar under the Act and any other Act or the Rules.\n\n\t15 Judicial registrars constitute and are delegated the powers of the Court\n\nA judicial registrar who is hearing and determining a proceeding in accordance with this Part—\n\n(a) constitutes the Court for that purpose; and\n\n(b) is delegated the same powers that the Court has in hearing and determining the proceeding.\n\nOrder 3—Review of determinations of judicial registrars\n\n\t16 Application for review of determination of Court constituted by judicial registrar\n\n(1) An application under section 16K(3)(a) of the Act for review of a determination of the Court constituted by a judicial registrar must be—\n\n(a) in Form 1; and\n\n(b) accompanied by an affidavit that must state the grounds for the application.\n\n(2) An application for review must state—\n\n(a) whether the whole or part only of the determination is the subject of the review; and\n\n(b) if part only of the determination is the subject of the review, which part; and\n\n(c) the grounds on which the review is sought.\n\n(3) The application for review must be filed within 28 days after the day on which the determination to which the application relates was made.\n\n(4) The Court may extend the time under paragraph (3) for filing an application for review, either before or after the expiry of that time, whether or not an application is made before the time expires.\n\n\t17 Notice to other parties\n\n(1) Subject to paragraph (4), a copy of an application for review and accompanying affidavit must be served in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3) (as the case requires) on each party to the proceeding to which the application for review relates within 7 days after the day on which the application is filed.\n\n(2) Unless the Court directs otherwise, a copy of an application for review of a determination made in a criminal proceeding and accompanying affidavit must be served—\n\n(a) in the case of an application made by the informant in the proceeding, in accordance with section 391 or 393 of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009**; or\n\n(b) in any other case, in accordance with section 392 of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009**.\n\n(3) Unless the Court directs otherwise, a copy of an application for review of a determination made in a civil proceeding and accompanying affidavit must be served in accordance with the Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020.\n\n(4) Unless the Court directs otherwise, on the filing of an application for review of a determination made in a proceeding under the **Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010**, a copy of the application and accompanying affidavit is to be given to each party to the proceeding to which the application relates by the Court in accordance with Rule 5.01 of the Magistrates' Court (Personal Safety Intervention Orders) Rules 2021[[12]](#endnote-12).\n\n(5) The Court may extend the time under paragraph (1) for the service of a copy of an application for review, either before or after the expiry of that time.\n\n\t18 Stay\n\n(1) The filing of an application for review does not operate as a stay of any order made by the Court constituted by a judicial registrar.\n\n(2) A party to a proceeding who is making an application for review may apply to either of the following for a stay of any order referred to in paragraph (1)—\n\n(a) the Court constituted by the judicial registrar who made the order;\n\n(b) the Court constituted by a magistrate.\n\n(3) A person who obtains from the Court a stay of an order by a judicial registrar must notify all other parties of the stay.\n\n\t19 Determination of application for review\n\n(1) Unless the Court directs otherwise—\n\n(a) an application for review must be heard in open court; and\n\n(b) the parties to the proceeding to which the application for review relates must appear at the hearing.\n\n(2) In the hearing of an application for review, the parties may rely upon the following—\n\n(a) any affidavit filed in support of the application for review;\n\n(b) any affidavit or other material admitted in evidence before the judicial registrar in the proceeding to which the application relates;\n\n(c) a transcript of the proceeding to which the application relates;\n\n(d) any other affidavit or other material as directed by the Court.\n\n(3) An application for review is to be determined by the Court after consideration of the application and any other material referred to in paragraph (2).\n\n(4) The Court may—\n\n(a) grant the application for review and list the matter for rehearing; or\n\n(b) refuse the application.\n\n(5) If the Court grants the application for review and lists the matter for rehearing, the rehearing is to be heard by way of hearing de novo by the Court constituted by a magistrate.\n\nForm 1—Application for review\n\nRule 16(1)\n\nIn the Magistrates' Court of\n\nVictoria at [*venue*] Court Ref.:\n\nIn the matter of an application under section 16K(3)(a) of the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989**.\n\nBETWEEN [*name of party*] [*title of party e.g.* Plaintiff *or*\n\nDefendant *or* Informant]\n\nAND [*name of party*] [*title of party*]\n\nApplication for Review\n\n| Date of document: |\n| --- |\n| Filed on behalf of the: [*title of party*] |\n| Prepared by: [*insert details*] |\n\n\nTAKE NOTICE that the abovementioned [*title of party*] applies, under section 16K(3)(a) of the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989**, for review of the hearing and determination of this proceeding constituted by [*name of judicial registrar*], a judicial registrar, on [*insert date*] by the Court constituted by a magistrate.\n\n*The order made by the judicial registrar in the proceeding was that [*insert details of order made*].\n\n*OR*\n\n*A copy of the order made by the judicial registrar in the proceeding is attached [*attach copy of order*].\n\nThe [*title of party*] seeks review of:\n\n*The whole of the determination made by the judicial registrar.\n\n*OR*\n\n*Part only of the determination made by the judicial registrar [*insert which part*].\n\nThe review is sought on the following grounds:\n\n[*insert grounds*].\n\nDated:\n\n(Signed by the party making the application  \nor the party's Australian lawyer)\n\n*Delete if inapplicable\n\nSchedule 1—Powers of the Court exercisable by judicial registrars in certain proceedings\n\n| *Column 1*<br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*<br>*Act* | *Column 3*<br>*Provision* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | **Control of Weapons Act 1990** | s. 10K(2) |\n| 2 | **Control of Weapons Act 1990** | s. 10K(3) |\n| 3 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 19(2) |\n| 4 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 28A |\n| 5 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 29(6) |\n| 6 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 29(7) |\n| 7 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 29(8) |\n| 8 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 33 |\n| 9 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 37(1) |\n| 10 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 37(1A) |\n| 11 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 37(1B) |\n| 12 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 37(1BA) |\n| 13 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 40 |\n| 14 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41 |\n| 15 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41D(1)(d) |\n| 16 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41HA |\n| 17 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41J(1) |\n| 18 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41J(1A) |\n| 19 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41J(5) |\n| 20 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41J(6) |\n| 21 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41K |\n| 22 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 41L |\n| 23 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 44AD |\n| 24 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 58A |\n| 25 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 58C |\n| 26 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 63C |\n| 27 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 63E |\n| 28 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 63N(2) |\n| 29 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 63Z(1*)* |\n| 30 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 64(1) |\n| 31 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 65(5) |\n| 32 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 68I(2) |\n| 33 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 68W |\n| 34 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 73A |\n| 35 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 75 |\n| 36 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 76(1) |\n| 37 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 76(3) |\n| 38 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 76(5) |\n| 39 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 76B |\n| 40 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84D(1) |\n| 41 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84D(2) |\n| 42 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84GA |\n| 43 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84V |\n| 44 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84W |\n| 45 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WA |\n| 46 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WAB |\n| 47 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WC |\n| 48 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WD |\n| 49 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WE |\n| 50 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WF |\n| 51 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84WG |\n| 52 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84X |\n| 53 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84XC |\n| 54 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84XE |\n| 55 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84XH |\n| 56 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84Z(1) |\n| 57 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84Z(2) |\n| 58 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84Z(3) |\n| 59 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 84ZA |\n| 60 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 97 |\n| 61 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 100B |\n| 62 | **Domestic Animals Act 1994** | s. 102(4) |\n| 63 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 5 |\n| 64 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 6 |\n| 65 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 7 |\n| 66 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 8 |\n| 67 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 9 |\n| 68 | **Graffiti Prevention Act 2007** | s. 10 |\n| 69 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 65(1) |\n| 70 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 74(3) |\n| 71 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 76 |\n| 72 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 77(1) |\n| 73 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 77(2) |\n| 74 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 82(3) |\n| 75 | **North East Link Act 2020** | s. 100(1) |\n| 76 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 18AA(2) |\n| 77 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 19(5) |\n| 78 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 19(7) |\n| 79 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 19(7A) |\n| 80 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 19(7B) |\n| 81 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 28B |\n| 82 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 30(1) |\n| 83 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 30AA |\n| 84 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 30A |\n| 85 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 31B |\n| 86 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 31H |\n| 87 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 32 |\n| 88 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 32A |\n| 89 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 33A |\n| 90 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 33B |\n| 91 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 33I(1) |\n| 92 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 33I(3) |\n| 93 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 33J |\n| 94 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 49 |\n| 95 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 49B |\n| 96 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 49C |\n| 97 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 50AAA(2) |\n| 98 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 50AAAC(3) |\n| 99 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 50AAD |\n| 100 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 50AAK |\n| 101 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55(9D) |\n| 102 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55B |\n| 103 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55C(4) |\n| 104 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55C(7) |\n| 105 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55C(8) |\n| 106 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 55E(16) |\n| 107 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 56(2) |\n| 108 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 56(7) |\n| 109 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 58B(2) |\n| 110 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 59(2)(a) |\n| 111 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 59(2)(b) |\n| 112 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 59(2)(c) |\n| 113 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 59(8) |\n| 114 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 61(5) |\n| 115 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 61A(5) |\n| 116 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 62(3) |\n| 117 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 65(2) |\n| 118 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 65A |\n| 119 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 65BA |\n| 120 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68A(1) |\n| 121 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68A(1A) |\n| 122 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68A(2) |\n| 123 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68A(3) |\n| 124 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68A(4) |\n| 125 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 68B |\n| 126 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 69 |\n| 127 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 70 |\n| 128 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 71 |\n| 129 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 72(1) |\n| 130 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 72(1A) |\n| 131 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 72(2) |\n| 132 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 73 |\n| 133 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 73A |\n| 134 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 74 |\n| 135 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 74A |\n| 136 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84BEA |\n| 137 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84BI |\n| 138 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84GB |\n| 139 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84H(3A) |\n| 140 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84P |\n| 141 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84QA(3) |\n| 142 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84QA(4) |\n| 143 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84QA(6) |\n| 144 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84S |\n| 145 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84T |\n| 146 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84V |\n| 147 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84X |\n| 148 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84Y(4) |\n| 149 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84Z |\n| 150 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZA |\n| 151 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZAB |\n| 152 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZAC |\n| 153 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZB(6) |\n| 154 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZF |\n| 155 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZP |\n| 156 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 84ZV |\n| 157 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 85N(2) |\n| 158 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 85O(2) |\n| 159 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 85W |\n| 160 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 87(1F) |\n| 161 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 87(1H) |\n| 162 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 88(7) |\n| 163 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 89BA |\n| 164 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 89C(6) |\n| 165 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 89D(5) |\n| 166 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 90C |\n| 167 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 90E |\n| 168 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 99A |\n| 169 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 112(4) |\n| 170 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 112(5) |\n| 171 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 132(5) |\n| 172 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 133(3) |\n| 173 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 135 |\n| 174 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 136 |\n| 175 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 142(6) |\n| 176 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 142(8) |\n| 177 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 144 |\n| 178 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 148 |\n| 179 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 149 |\n| 180 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 171 |\n| 181 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 172 |\n| 182 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 173 |\n| 183 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 176(2) |\n| 184 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 176(3) |\n| 185 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 176(4) |\n| 186 | **Road Safety Act 1986** | s. 189 |\n\n\nDated: 4 December 2025\n\nLISA HANNAN,  \n*Chief Magistrate*\n\nSUSAN WAKELING,  \n*Deputy Chief Magistrate*\n\nTIM BOURKE,  \n*Deputy Chief Magistrate*\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025, S.R. No. 132/2025 were made on 4 December 2025 by the Chief Magistrate together with one or more Deputy Chief Magistrates jointly under sections 16 and 16I of the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989**, No. 51/1989 and came into operation on 9 December 2025: rule 3.\n\nThe Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 4 December 2035 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThere are no amendments made to the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n1. Rule 4(a): S.R. No. 154/2015 as amended by S.R. Nos 135/2016, 28/2018, 24/2019, 95/2019, 39/2020, 41/2021, 143/2021, 168/2021 and 33/2022. [↑](#endnote-ref-1)\n\n2. Rule 4(c): S.R. No. 28/2018. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n3. Rule 4(d): S.R. No. 24/2019. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)\n\n4. Rule 4(e): S.R. No. 95/2019. [↑](#endnote-ref-4)\n\n5. Rule 4(f): S.R. No. 39/2020. [↑](#endnote-ref-5)\n\n6. Rule 4(g): S.R. No. 41/2021. [↑](#endnote-ref-6)\n\n7. Rule 4(h): S.R. No. 143/2021. [↑](#endnote-ref-7)\n\n8. Rule 4(i): S.R. No. 168/2021. [↑](#endnote-ref-8)\n\n9. Rule 4(j): S.R. No. 33/2022. [↑](#endnote-ref-9)\n\n10. Rule 6(g): S.R. No. 27/2019 as amended by S.R. Nos 46/2019 and 26/2023. [↑](#endnote-ref-10)\n\n11. Rule 11: S.R. No. 112/2020 as amended by S.R. Nos 23/2021, 89/2021, 167/2021, 54/2022, 102/2022, 134/2022, 68/2023, 128/2023 and 134/2024. [↑](#endnote-ref-11)\n\n12. Rule 17(4): S.R. No. 101/2021. [↑](#endnote-ref-12)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"On its face the instrument consolidates and restates the delegation of powers to judicial registrars and sets a review procedure (see Rule 1 objects, Rules 6–9, 16–19). Rule 4 revokes earlier Judicial Registrars Rules, and the Table of Amendments records no intervening changes; the instrument does not, by its text alone, identify a clear net expansion or contraction of scope compared with the stated objects. Any substantive scope change is not evident from this instrument alone."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references to multiple Acts and Rules (e.g. Criminal Procedure Act 2009, Civil Procedure Act 2010, Infringements Act 2006, Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020) (see Rules 6–9, 11, Schedule 1).","Numerous carve-outs and exceptions limiting delegated powers (explicit exclusions in Rule 6 and Rule 10–13).","Large, detailed Schedule listing many specific statutory provisions transferred to judicial registrars (Schedule 1 contains 186 items).","Quantitative threshold for civil jurisdiction ($25,000) combined with several subject-matter exceptions (Rule 8, Rule 11).","Procedural rigidity for review applications: form, affidavit requirement, strict filing (28 days) and service timeframes (Rules 16–17).","Interaction between registrar functions and judicial functions (delegation and constitution of Court in Rule 14–15) raising institutional and supervisory complexity.","Multiple procedural pathways for stays and rehearings, including stay applications to either registrar‑constituted Court or magistrate (Rule 18).","Revocation and consolidation of earlier rules (Rule 4; Endnotes) requiring readers to track historical instruments for differences."],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules delegate many of the Magistrates' Court's powers to judicial registrars for specified criminal and civil matters, set limits and exceptions (including a $25,000 civil threshold and barred family and certain equitable matters), and create a 28‑day, affidavit‑based review process to rehear determinations before a magistrate. \n\nThey affect litigants, judicial registrars and magistrates by changing who can decide routine matters, the timing and form of review applications, and the procedural steps parties must follow to seek a rehearing (see Rules 6–9, 10–13, 16–19)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Unable to assess scope changes from original intent — the text provided contains only version metadata and status labels, with no substantive legislative content to analyse. The score and summary reflect reasonable assumptions based on the rule title alone."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient legislative text provided — only metadata and version history is visible, making substantive analysis impossible","Procedural rules of this type typically involve cross-references to the parent Act (Magistrates' Court Act 1989) and other court rules","The role of Judicial Registrars involves layered delegated authority, which can be conceptually complex","Likely interacts with multiple existing Magistrates' Court rules and practice directions"],"plain_english_summary":"These rules set out how Judicial Registrars—court officers with limited decision‑making powers below magistrates—operate in Victoria’s Magistrates’ Court, affecting litigants, lawyers, court staff and the registrars themselves. They govern when and how registrars may deal with matters, conduct hearings and have decisions reviewed, aiming to streamline court processes. Note: the supplied source is mostly metadata, so detailed provision-level analysis isn’t possible here."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original scope as a procedural instrument delegating specific judicial powers to judicial registrars. While Schedule 1 is extensive (186 provisions), this appears to be a consolidation of existing delegated powers rather than an expansion beyond the original intent of efficiently allocating court resources."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing: The Rules reference at least 15 other Acts (Criminal Procedure Act 2009, Infringements Act 2006, Road Safety Act 1986, etc.) and multiple sets of court rules","Schedule 1 contains 186 specific legislative provisions across 5 Acts that judicial registrars may exercise powers under, requiring users to cross-check multiple statutes","Nested exceptions and limitations: Rule 8 grants broad powers but is immediately qualified by Rules 10, 11, 12, and 13 which carve out specific exclusions","Conditional logic: Multiple rules use 'subject to' clauses creating layered conditions (e.g., Rule 8(4) 'Subject to Rule 13' regarding Personal Safety Intervention Orders)","Dual pathways for service of documents: Rule 17 distinguishes between criminal and civil proceedings with different service requirements and special rules for Personal Safety Intervention Orders","Defined terms section is short (only 3 definitions) but relies heavily on external definitions from the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 and other legislation"],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules set out what **judicial registrars** (senior court officials who are not magistrates) can and cannot do in Victoria's Magistrates' Court.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Lists the cases judicial registrars can handle:** This includes minor criminal matters (like traffic offences and fine enforcement), civil disputes under $25,000, and specific proceedings under dozens of other laws (see Schedule 1 for the full list, covering everything from dog attacks to graffiti to road safety).\n- **Sets limits on their powers:** They cannot hear family violence cases, family law matters, claims for \"equitable relief\" (special court orders like freezing assets or injunctions), or high-stakes personal safety intervention order applications.\n- **Creates a review process:** If a party disagrees with a judicial registrar's decision, they can apply for a **review** (a fresh hearing) by a magistrate within 28 days.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- People involved in minor court cases in Victoria\n- Lawyers who appear in the Magistrates' Court\n- The judicial registrars themselves, who now have clearer boundaries for their authority\n\n**Why it matters:**\nJudicial registrars help manage the court's heavy workload by handling simpler matters, freeing up magistrates for more complex cases. These Rules ensure this delegation happens safely by clearly defining what stays with magistrates (serious or sensitive matters) and what can be delegated."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025","history":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-judicial-registrars-rules-2025/documents"}}