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Sexual Offences List

Section 4R of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989, which came into operation on 1 December 2006, established the Sexual Offences List ("SOL"). A pilot SOL list commenced operation at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 7 April 2006. Rural SOLs commenced on 1 July 2007.

The SOL is a specially managed list of all cases relating to a charge for a sexual offence in recognition of the unique features of such cases including the difficulties faced by complainants. A specially managed list will also provide a greater level of consistency in the handling of these cases.

The SOL operates as follows:

• Criminal proceedings which contain one or more sex offence are to be listed within the Sexual Offences List.
• The SOLs currently sit at the following Magistrates' Courts: Melbourne; Ballarat; Bendigo; Geelong; La Trobe Valley; Mildura; Shepparton.
• At Melbourne Magistrates' Court, the SOL sits each Friday, and hears matters involving sexual offences within both the summary and committal streams. Not guilty pleas and contested committals for sexual offences may be listed for hearing on any day of the week.
• Suburban Magistrates' Courts continue to deal with summary matters involving sex offences which are alleged to have occurred within their region.
• Remote witness facilities are available at court for use by witnesses who do not wish to come face-to-face with the accused in the courtroom. These facilities are to be booked in advance with the relevant court and are usually booked by the prosecutor at the contest mention or committal mention.
• The Child Witness Service (located within the CBD) has been established to support child witnesses appearing at court for sex offence matters. The Child Witness Service will provide information about the court process to the child witness prior to the hearing date and the child will be able to give their evidence by way of a remote witness/closed circuit link. Referrals can be made to the Child Witness Service by Victoria Police, the Office of Public Prosecutions, legal professionals, involved agency or directly by the child, young person and their families. The Child Witness Service may be contacted by telephone - 1300 790 540, or email - childwitnessservice@justice.vic.gov.au.

Practice Directions setting out the procedures for the SOLs are as follows:

• Practice Direction 2/2007 - Sexual Offences List - Melbourne Magistrates Court
• Practice Direction 3/2007 - Sexual Offences List - Country Magistrates Courts
• Practice Direction 4/2007 - Sexual Offences List - Suburban Magistrates' Courts - Child Complainants
• Practice Direction 5/2007 - Sexual Offences List - Witness Summonses - Confidential Communications
• Practice Direction 5/2008 - Sexual Offences List - Summary Contest Listings.

The Practice Directions may be viewed via the Publications panel on the right of the page

Practice Directions concerning the Sexual Offences List in the Children's Court are available on the Children's Court website.  (see the Weblinks and Legislation panel)