- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for use in the Court system has been talked about for many years. It is available in Victoria
now, and it is a world first!
EDI is the transmission of data via computer in an agreed standard format. While EDI has been available to business and
industry groups for quite some time, solicitors are only now able to electronically lodge with most Victorian Magistrates’
Courts:
· Complaints;
· Default order requests;
· Warrants to seize property; and
· Summons for Oral Examination.
It is anticipated that this technology will be expanded to cater for other Court documents and jurisdictions in the future.
How Compucourt EDI Service works
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The details required on a civil complaint can be entered into a computer at the solicitor’s office. Upon completion of the day’s
entries, the data is transmitted to Compucourt (Upload) for validation and translation to
a file format for transfer via secure FTP to the
Magistrates’ Court’s EDI computer systems. The data is validated by the Court
overnight and direct debits are made for the associated fees to the user's
nominated bank account. The next morning, user's pick up return messages
(Download) which contain the Court case number and the date of filing (or
a rejection message). When a complaint is successfully issued, a paper copy can then be printed and forwarded for service on
the Defendant(s). A paper copy of the complaint only needs to be filed at the Court when requested (usually when the matter is
set down for hearing).
After service of the complaint, if the mandatory time period for filing a notice of defence has lapsed, service details can be entered
and then sent to Court for a default order request. The following day, a "Notice of Order Made" can be printed.
Once a notice of order made (judgement) has been obtained via EDI, execution
proceedings can be issued. Warrants to seize property can be issued overnight
and paper copies printed for forwarding to the Sheriff’s Office. Oral
Examinations automatically scheduled for the next available hearing date, at the nearest Court to the defendant can
also be issued via EDI overnight.
Advantages of EDI
Based on many years of experience, the following advantages are immediately apparent:
· Attendance at Court is not required.
· The complaint issue process is entirely paperless.
· Postage costs and staffing levels are reduced.
· Documents are issued overnight (instead of taking days or weeks).
· Preparation, receipting and/or reconciliation of cheques or duty stamps is not required.
· Documents can be issued for any Magistrates’ Court in the State using the one process.
· Rules regarding required information are better defined and more consistent to minimise annoying rejections.
If you require further information about the Court’s EDI service or how to become an EDI participant, please contact Andrew
Leslie at Compucourt on ph. (03) 9596 7022.