What to Do If You Receive a Court Summons in Victoria:
Latest Update: 03/07/2026
Receiving a court summons can feel confusing, especially when the document does not clearly explain what has happened or what you need to do next.
Save this information by heading to the end of this article.
What is a court summons?
A summons is a court document that tells you when you must attend court. It may relate to a civil matter, criminal charge, traffic offence, or being asked to appear as a witness.
Civil Matter | Criminal Charge |
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Why did I get this?
There are many reasons why someone might receive a summons, which could be because:
You’re being asked to appear as a witness.
You’re involved in a legal dispute.
You’ve been charged with an offence.
Who can help me?
If you are unsure what your summons means, there are free and low-cost legal services that may be able to help, including Victorian Legal Aid, disability advocates, and professionals in your support team such as a Specialist Support Coordinator.
All of which can assist with gathering more information such as:
What the summons is in relation to
When the alleged incident occurred
Checking if the information is listed on the Hearing Listing Portal
Hearing Search | CMS PORTAL (courts.vic.gov.au)
Advocates and legal representatives can help you with
Explaining what the summons means
Preparing for court
Representing you if needed
Victorian Legal Aid
You can request help within 14 days of the court date by submitting a referral for legal representation and a grant of legal assistance application, so that there is no cost to you
P: 1300 792 387
Monday-Friday from 8 am-6 pm
Useful Links
More questions?
If you would like to know more about how our Specialist Support Coordinators can assist individuals in navigating the complexities of the NDIS, please get in touch with us.
Click here to submit an enquiry.
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