SELF REPRESENTED LITIGANTS: THE PROCESS OF A CIVIL PROCEEDING

CO

UN

TY C

OU

RT O

F VICTO

RIA

PLAINTIFF THE PERSON STARTING THE CLAIM

TIMEFRAME

YOUR DOCUMENTS ARE ACCEPTED AND FEE IS PAID

SERVE ON DEFENDANT

SET A TIMETABLE

PROVIDE MORE DETAIL ABOUT YOUR CASE

SHARE DOCUMENTS

ORGANISE EVIDENCE

ORGANISE WITNESSES

PAY TRIAL FEE

THE TRIAL

DECISION

ENFORCEMENT

* Dates are indicative only for the purpose of giving an broad estimate of what is involved in running a civil proceeding in the County Court. You must familiarise yourself with the rules and Court Orders.

DEFENDANT THE PERSON RESPONDING TO THE CLAIM

FILE AND SERVE NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

FILE AND SERVE DEFENCE

Default judgement if no appearance or defence filed

Pre-Trial H

earings (Directions H

earings) where

orders are made to prepare a case for trial

3 MONTHS

DAY 1

12 MONTHS +

TRY TO SORT OUT THE DISPUTE BY AGREEMENT