A cutback of in-person services at regional magistrates’ courts in Victoria won’t affect Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court monthly sittings.

Magistrates’ Court Victoria (MCV) switched 10 regional Victorian courts, including Wangaratta, to remote registry services on non-sitting days as of 14 July.

In a statement, MCV said the move would provide staff with time to prepare listing for future sitting days and do other registry work.

The move was described as the third phase of MCV's "successful pilot", which began in early 2024.

Local legal services Hume Riverina Community Legal Service and ARC Justice have expressed disappointment in the cutback of in-person services, saying it will limit the community’s access to justice.

A MCV spokesperson told this masthead the Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court will remain open once per month on Fridays except on public holidays.

For in-person support, court users are advised to attend Wangaratta Magistrtaes’ Court on sitting days.

The Wangaratta court is set to have its first non-sitting day since the remote registry service rollout on Friday, 8 August, when Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court will be sitting, followed by two more on 12 August and 15 August.

The MCV spokesperson said all court services remain fully accessible remotely, including phone enquiries, email correspondence, filing of documents via electronic means and access to virtual hearing and registry services.

Court users can call the Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court registrar on (03) 9063 0114 or email myrtlefordcoordinator@courts.vic.gov.au.

For in-person services when Myrtleford and Wangaratta courts aren’t sitting, you can visit Wodonga Magistrates’ Court.