Nhill Courts

Full description

A Court of Petty Sessions was appointed in Nhill in May 1882, followed by a County Court in October 1883. A Court of Insolvency was appointed for the Western Insolvency District in June 1885. A courthouse was constructed to accommodate the increasing court activity in 1888 based on a design that was later used in Boort (VA 4315), Wycheproof (VA 2286), Natimuk (VA 965), Warracknabeal (VA 2278) and Midura (VA 5396). In December 1889 a Court of General Sessions was appointed to the town. Both the County Court and Court of General Sessions were discontinued in September 1931 however the County Court was reappointed in November 1936. The County Court was discontinued again in May 1942 and its records were directed to go to the Horsham County Court (VA 966). The court was authorised to hear Children’s Court cases however it is unclear when hearings ceased. The dates below reflect when the Children’s Court was a branch of the Court of Petty Sessions/Magistrates’ Court. The court continues to hear Magistrates’ Court criminal matters and sits within the Grampians Court Region. Administration of the court is managed by the Horsham Magistrates' Court (VA 966).

Nhill Courts include:

• Court of Petty Sessions/Magistrates’ Court (1882 – present)
• Children’s Court (1907 – 1999?)
• County Court (1884 – 1931, 1936 – 1942)
• Court of Insolvency (1885 – 1928)
• Court of General Sessions (1890 – 1931)

District and Circuit Court Systems

In the mid-19th to early 20th century, courts and court districts were established across Victoria of various levels. This practice remained until either the court was abolished, or a state-wide court entity was established. Once a statewide court was established, hearings continued in regional centres using a circuit court system.

Under the district system, courts largely administered themselves, with major decisions such as the appointment of judicial officers and court locations, as well the development of court rules, procedures and jury lists passed down by Governor in Council. Additionally, judicial officers, registrars and clerks were appointed to specific court locations. These functions were largely taken over by the primary court and their respective chief judicial officer once the primary court was established. Likewise, judicial officers were no longer appointed to specific court locations, but rather to the primary court then assigned to hearings according to the scheduled circuit.

Both district courts and circuit courts commonly used their own recordkeeping systems to manage cases until centralised recordkeeping systems were gradually introduced from the late 20th century. Administrative resources were often shared between the different levels of court when operating from the same location.

Court of Petty Sessions/Magistrates’ Court (1838 – Present)

Courts of Petty Sessions were established to hear criminal and civil cases of minor offences and disputes. Courts of Petty Sessions were appointed to be held in population centres. These courts were renamed Magistrates’ Courts in 1971. Under the Magistrates’ Court Act 1989 (Vic), the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (VA 5113) was constituted as the primary body, while the various courts were grouped into regions with the largest in each appointed as a headquarter venue. Magistrates and other Judicial Officers were assigned to regions to hear cases in each location according to the scheduled circuit. Individual Magistrates’ Courts continue to maintain their own case registries. As of 2023, there are 51 courts in 13 regions. The Court has several divisions including Koori Court, Drug Court, Assessment and Referral Court as well as several specialist family courts. These divisions are appointed to specific locations within regions, usually the headquarters court.

Children’s Court (1907 – Present)

Children’s Courts were established to hear and to inquire into charges against children. During the 1930s, these courts also began hearing other cases involving children such as child neglect. Children’s Courts were appointed to be held at locations that already held Courts of Petty Sessions or Magistrates’ Courts and operated as a division of the Magistrates’ Court until 2000. As such, Children’s Courts operated under the Magistrates’ Court district system until 1989 and continue to mirror the Magistrates’ Court’s regional system. Like the Magistrates’ Court, when the Children’s Court of Victoria (VA 4190) was constituted as the primary and independent body, courts were grouped into regions, and Judicial Officers and Support Services staff were assigned to these regions. Judicial officers were assigned to hearings according to each region’s circuit schedule. Individual courts continue to maintain their own case registries and often share administrative resources with the Magistrates’ Court registries. As of 2025, there are 33 courts in 6 regions. The Court has a Family division, and Criminal division, as well as a Children’s Koori Court for criminal matters. Like Magistrates' Koori Courts, Children's Koori Courts are appointed to specific locations.).

County Court (1852 – Present)

County Courts were established to hear civil matters and assumed the functions of the Courts of Request, which had operated prior to Victoria’s separation from New South Wales. Regional County Courts operated under the district court system until 1957, when the County Court of Victoria (VA 686) was constituted under the County Court Act 1958 (Vic). Under the circuit court system, County Courts continued to maintain their own case registries until centralised recordkeeping systems were gradually introduced from the late 20th Century. As of 2023, the court is made up of a criminal division, criminal appeals division, commercial division, common law division, adoption division and a County Koori Court. There are 11 circuit locations outside of Melbourne, 6 of which also hold County Koori Court hearings. 

Court of Insolvency (1871 – 1928)

Courts of Insolvency were established in each proclaimed Insolvency District across Victoria according to the Insolvency Statute 1871. Courts of Insolvency were appointed at places that held County Courts hearings, and Insolvency Districts generally mirrored County Court Districts. All County Court judges outside of Melbourne were also appointed judges of the Court of Insolvency. Although the clerks of the District Courts of Insolvency were required to send a copy of the Order of Sequestration (Bankruptcy/Insolvency Order) to the Chief Clerk at Melbourne, these orders were not incorporated into the Register of Insolvencies (VPRS 757) created by the Court of Insolvency at Melbourne (VA 2304). Courts of Insolvency continued to operate under the County Court District system until the function of Bankruptcy and Insolvency hearings was transferred to the Commonwealth in 1928.

Court of General Sessions (1853 – 1968)

Courts of General Sessions were established to hear criminal cases of a more serious nature than the Court of Petty Sessions, excluding the most serious crimes such as murder and treason. The Court of General Sessions continued to operate under the district court system until 1968, when the County Court of Victoria (VA 686) assumed responsibility for Criminal Cases and the Court of General Sessions was abolished under the County Court (Jurisdiction) Act 1968 (Vic).