Ringwood Magistrates’ Court serves much of Melbourne’s east. There is no longer a Magistrates’ Court at Box Hill: it closed in 1996, and many matters from the eastern suburbs are now heard at Ringwood. Your notice will say which court to attend.
Key points
- Address: 39 Ringwood Street, Ringwood VIC 3134. Registry open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm.
- There is no Box Hill Magistrates’ Court any more; many matters from the eastern suburbs are heard at Ringwood. Check your notice.
- A car park behind the courthouse is entered from Bourke Street.
- Hears criminal, intervention order and civil matters, and is a Specialist Family Violence Court location.
Address and contact
- Address: 39 Ringwood Street, Ringwood VIC 3134
- Registry hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Phone: (03) 9087 5720
Getting there
There is a 60-space car park behind the courthouse, entered from Bourke Street, including accessible parking. Ringwood Station and the Eastland shopping centre are nearby.
What is heard here
Criminal matters, intervention orders and civil matters, with the Court Integrated Services Program available for people on bail. Ringwood is also one of the Specialist Family Violence Court locations.
On the day
- Arrive early. Allow time for security screening, and aim to be there at least 30 minutes before the time on your notice.
- Security. Everyone is screened on entry. Do not bring knives, tools or anything that could be used as a weapon.
- Report in. After security, tell the registry or the court coordinator you have arrived, and which courtroom you are in.
- Expect to wait. Courts usually begin sitting at 10am and deal with many matters through the day, so stay near the courtroom until your name is called.
- In the courtroom. Turn your phone off, remove hats and sunglasses, and address the magistrate as “Your Honour”.
What to bring
- Your charge sheet or summons, and the court notice showing the date and time
- Any police documents you were given, such as the summary or brief of evidence
- Photo identification
- Character references and any reports (for example medical or counselling reports), if you are pleading guilty
- Your lawyer’s contact details, and something to pass the time
Interpreters
If you need an interpreter, tell the court (or your lawyer) well before the hearing. The Magistrates’ Court may be able to arrange an interpreter for a person charged with a criminal offence. We can advise and take instructions in English or Mandarin.
In person or online?
Under the Magistrates’ Court’s current practice direction, an accused person who is not represented must usually attend in person. If you have a lawyer, you may be able to appear online at some mentions, but you will normally need to attend in person where a community correction order or imprisonment is possible. Your lawyer will tell you how you need to appear.
Help with a matter at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court
Victoria Legal Aid duty lawyers help some people on the day, but eligibility is limited. If you would like your own lawyer, send us your charge sheet and court notice for a free written quote, or arrange a paid online consultation. See Contact, and Your First Court Date.
This page is general information about Victorian law, current at the time of writing. It is not legal advice about your situation. Laws and police practices change, so speak with a lawyer about your own matter.