Attending Magistrates’ Courts is already a stressful experience for court users, but this stress can be exacerbated by not knowing what to expect, how to prepare or what supports are available. Multicultural court users can be of more of a disadvantage if they are unable to easily access key information in their preferred language/s.
In 2024, Court Network won a Victorian Law Services Board and Commissioner grant, to develop supports to better meet the needs of multicultural court users at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court. It was through this grant that Court Network created their ‘Your Day in Court’ guides and translated them into 11 different key languages spoken by Dandenong Magistrates’ court users. These much-needed resources provide crucial information to court users about attending the Magistrates’ Court and Family Violence Intervention Orders at Magistrates’ Court.
“It is so important that court users can access information about attending court in accessible language”, commented Sarah Harris, Victoria State Manager at Court Network, “having these guides available for court users is another way Court Network can provide information and support”.
The resource content was written in partnership with South-East Monash Legal Service, who provide services to communities across Melbourne’s south-east, including duty lawyer services at Dandenong Magistrates Court.
“Dandenong Magistrates’ Court is one of the busiest courts in the state with complex multi-cultural court users who now have the benefit of more plain language information on court processes”- Suzan Gencay, Family Violence and Victims Legal Service Coordinator, South-East Monash Legal Service.
The resources are now available online and in Magistrates’ courts across Victoria. A Dandenong Networker had the following to say “They are proving to be very well received. They are very easy reading and a great resource for court users”. Her colleague concurred, “[they are useful] to help allay some fears CU’s may have when at court as it takes away some of the unknown”.
Court Network Program Coordinator Tess shared that court services have also been finding the resources useful, with the intake and referral officer at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court using them with Applicants.
Access the resources here.