When COVID-19 hit Victoria, schools, pubs and restaurants closed. The AFL season stopped after only one round. But the courts couldn’t shut down because crime didn’t stop. People were in custody awaiting trial. Family violence continued unabated, disputes needed settling, appeals needed to be heard, and trials needed to continue to provide justice for both accused and victims. As an essential service, the courts had to move quickly.
This episode of Gertie's Law looks at how the Supreme Court of Victoria responded to the challenge of a global pandemic. Hear how judges maintained order when the courtrooms went virtual, why Coronavirus was mentioned regularly in bail hearings, and whether beef carpaccio is better if you use shallots.