About Court Network

Our Vision

To provide the community with Volunteers who stand beside, empower and instil confidence in all court users.

Our Mission

To provide support, information and referral to persons attending court and to advocate for the needs of all court users.

Court Network provides personal support, non-legal information and referral to those in contact with the justice system. Court Network recognises that there are significant barriers to accessing the justice system including:

lack of comprehensive, understandable information
lack of comprehensive services which recognise the diversity of Court users
the culture and language of the Court environment
the financial and emotional cost of justice

Court Network provides support, information and referral services which:

lessens the trauma of going to court and empowers court users
responds to the diversity of all court users
enhances the dignity of all citizens by responding to them in a non-judgmental and respectful manner
recognises the needs and concerns of particular groups such as those from non-disabled and/or the otherwise geographically or socially isolated
seeks to promote the safety of court users
promotes and respects the decisions made by court users
provides knowledge of and referral to community agencies and services which assist court users
contributes to policy developments consistent with the needs and issues raised by court users
pursues law reform consistent with the promotion of justice for all
conducts research and social advocacy to change the structures of and access to the justice system

The service is provided by highly trained volunteer Networkers working in the courts. Networkers are managed by professional Program Managers.

The Victorian service is offered in metropolitan courts and courts in the regions of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo Shepparton, Wodonga, Warrnambool, Mildura, and Gippsland.

Court Network operates in the following Melbourne Metropolitan Courts: