What to expect after the final hearing

Following VCAT's decision

After we make a decision we give an order. We either give the order on the day of the hearing or send it to you afterwards.

The order is a legal document that tells parties how the case has been decided and what action they must take.

All parties must act according to the terms of the order. For example, if we order that a party must make a payment, they must do so by the deadline given in the order. If no date is given for the payment, it must be made immediately.

We will arrange for any physical evidence you presented at the hearing (e.g. tapes, merchandise) to be returned as soon as we can.

Written decisions are published online

When we give written reasons for our decision, we send a copy of the written reasons to the parties. They are also available on the Australasian Legal Information Institute website (AustLii).

You can also find some high profile decisions on the VCAT website where a case has attracted significant media interest.

Evidence and exhibits

If you shared evidence or exhibits with VCAT during your case, we may need to keep these on file.

If we do not need to keep them on file, you can collect these from VCAT from one month after the final decision is sent to you. We only hold exhibits for up to three months after the final decision.

You must arrange for the return or collection of any exhibits that VCAT does not have to keep on file. If they are not collected within the timeframe, we may dispose of them.