Committal hearings in Victoria are a preliminary stage in the criminal justice process for indictable offences. They take place in the Magistrates’ Court and are used to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a matter to proceed to trial in the County Court or Supreme Court.

When a person is charged with a serious criminal offence that must ultimately be determined in the County Court or Supreme Court, the case will begin in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria which is where the committal hearing will take place.