Bendigo's courts share one building, the Bendigo Law Courts at 188 Hargreaves Street, on the corner of Mundy Street, which opened in February 2023. The Magistrates' Court is based there, and the County Court, the Supreme Court and the family court all sit there on circuit. Victoria Legal Aid and the local community legal centre are on Hargreaves Street too.
Our Bendigo lists cover criminal and family law, with where each firm is based and what it handles. Some firms don't name their family lawyers online, so ask who will run your file and whether you can meet by video if you live out of town.
Lawyers in Bendigo by area of law
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How legal matters work in Bendigo
Criminal charges start in the Magistrates' Court, which runs a Koori Court, the Assessment and Referral Court, the CISP bail support program and a Specialist Family Violence Court. Serious charges go through a committal and usually on to the County Court, and the most serious, such as murder, to the Supreme Court. Charges against young people go to the Children's Court, which uses the Mundy Street entrance of the same building.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has no registry in Bendigo, so documents are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or at the Melbourne registry. Some early court events may be held online, so check your court notice to see how to attend. Family violence intervention orders are a Victorian matter and usually go to the Magistrates' Court. If the order is to protect a child, the application can go to the Children's Court instead. Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, which has a room at the Bendigo Law Courts, can help with family violence matters.
Victoria Legal Aid's Bendigo office covers the Loddon Campaspe region and runs the duty lawyer service at the Bendigo, Castlemaine, Echuca, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough and Swan Hill courts.
Courts in Bendigo
- Bendigo Magistrates' Court
- Most criminal and traffic matters start here, along with family violence and personal safety intervention orders. It's in the Bendigo Law Courts, 188 Hargreaves Street, and runs a Koori Court and a Specialist Family Violence Court.
- County Court and Supreme Court of Victoria
- Serious criminal charges after a committal. Both courts sit in Bendigo on circuit, and murder, treason and some other very serious charges are tried in the Supreme Court.
- Children's Court of Victoria
- Charges against young people, in the same building, through the Mundy Street entrance.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- Separation, parenting and property matters. The court sits on circuit at the Bendigo Law Courts, but you file online or at the Melbourne registry, 305 William Street.
Free and low cost legal help
- Victoria Legal Aid gives free legal information to anyone, and advice or representation to people who qualify.
- Victoria Legal Aid, Bendigo: 424 Hargreaves Street, covering the Loddon Campaspe region. It's best to make an appointment first through Legal Help on 1300 792 387.
- Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre: Run by ARC Justice at 171 Hargreaves Street, with a room at the Bendigo Law Courts. Free legal information and advice for people in central Victoria, including family violence, family law, fines and debt, with representation subject to a means test.
- Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Djirra: VALS gives free legal help to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria, and Djirra, which helps Aboriginal women and their children, has a Bendigo office at 122 Queen Street.
- Balak Services: On level 1 of the Bendigo Law Courts, for family violence support and the Koori Court Officer.
- Duty lawyers at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court can help on the day if you're due in court and don't have a lawyer yet.
- Community legal centres give free advice on everyday problems like debts, tenancy, fines and employment.
- Private firms often offer a free or fixed price first appointment. Ask when you call.
- Check a lawyer's standing with the Law Institute of Victoria, the professional body for lawyers in Victoria.
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Finding a lawyer in Bendigo: common questions
How do I choose a lawyer in Bendigo?
Start with the area of law your problem falls under, then shortlist two or three firms that do that work regularly. If your matter is going to court, ask how often they appear in that court. Ask what the first appointment costs and how fees work after that, and go with the lawyer who explains things clearly rather than the one with the biggest ad.
Can I get free legal advice in Bendigo?
Often, yes. Victoria Legal Aid gives free legal information to anyone and advice or representation to people who qualify. Community legal centres also give free advice, and duty lawyers at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court can help if you're due in court that day.
How do I check a lawyer can practise in Victoria?
Every practising lawyer needs a current practising certificate. Ask the firm for the lawyer's full name and check it with the Law Institute of Victoria or the local regulator. A good firm won't mind you asking.
Is there a family court in Bendigo?
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia sits in Bendigo on circuit, at the Bendigo Law Courts, 188 Hargreaves Street. There's no registry, so you can't file documents there. Bendigo matters are filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or at the Melbourne registry at 305 William Street, and some early court events may be held online.
What is the Koori Court at Bendigo?
A part of the Magistrates' Court at the Bendigo Law Courts for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It's designed to be culturally safe, and Aboriginal Elders or Respected Persons can give cultural advice to the magistrate. It's for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who plead guilty and choose to have their case heard there. A magistrate decides whether you're eligible, and some sexual offences are excluded. Ask for the Koori Court Officer at Balak Services on level 1.
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