VPRS 22339 Supreme Court Civil Cause Books, Horsham

Full description

This series comprises volumes used to record and allocate case numbers for civil actions initiated in the Supreme Court of Victoria on circuit in Horsham. A civil action was initiated when a plaintiff filed a summons at the Prothonotary’s Office.

Civil law deals with disputes between private parties where a remedy or relief may be awarded to the plaintiff to recognise that the defendant’s wrongful actions resulted in loss or damage to the plaintiff. A plaintiff is the person or organisation who is bringing the case to court, while the defendant is the person or organisation who is disputing the claims made by the plaintiff. A remedy or relief is how the court recognises and enforces a legal right. In the civil jurisdiction, this can include a financial remedy (such as money paid in damages or compensation) or some other form of relief (such as returning property or enforcing a contract). In Victoria, the Civil Procedure Act 2010 sets out the procedure for civil trials in the County Court.

For each case contained in the volumes, the following information is recorded:

- The number of the action, the names of the plaintiff
- Defendant (s) and their solicitors
- The date of filing of the summons 
- The entering of the appearance
- A description of the complaint
- Damages sought
- If applicable, details on the issuing of writs of copias ad satisfaciendum or fieri facias 
- Date of the close of the pleadings
- Date of delivery of the trial papers 
- Whether an action is for trial or assessment of damages 
- Whether trial by judge alone or by jury
- Trial date 
- Verdict 
- Costs 
- Details of final judgement 
- Details of issue of copias ad satisfaciendum (ca.sa) or fieri facias

For the civil case files, see VPRS 22347 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Horsham.