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  • We have a new name

    November 23, 2012

    We have a new name!

    The Senior Master’s (Funds in Court) Office changes its name to FUNDS IN COURT

    The Senior Master, with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, has decided to change the name of the Senior Master’s (Funds in Court) Office to Funds in Court [FIC].

    FIC has always been considered a discrete area of the Court for two reasons:

    1.  It is almost entirely self-funded.
    2. A Judicial Member of the Court has the final responsibility for the administration of the Office, the payment into and out of Court of funds, and the investment of beneficiaries’ funds.

    However, the work that FIC performs has always been done on behalf of the Court.  Whilst FIC is now a large and complex organisation, the work it does is, in essence, that which was performed in the past by the Master in Equity.

    Of course, the services provided by the Office are now much more extensive.  Apart from its core work of administering the funds for people under disability the Office also:

    1. Gives support and advice to the Supreme Court Registry in the administration of all dispute funds.
    2. Deals with all inquiries from the legal profession and other interested parties in respect of dispute funds.
    3. Provides advice and support to Judges, Associate Judges and their Associates, when requested, in respect of all matters.
    4. Pursuant to theCourts Legislation (Funds in Court) Act administers all funds formerly held by the County and Magistrates’ Courts, and by the Victims of Crimes Assistance Tribunal, for and on behalf of persons under disability.  Essentially, the Office now serves other Victorian jurisdictions in a manner similar to the Juries Commissioner’s Office and the Costs Court.

    Changing the name of the Office makes it clear that FIC is an integral part of the Court and, like the other areas, serves all Victorian Courts and the Victorian community.

    Legislative Considerations

    There are no legislative considerations affecting the change of name.  The Senior Master will continue to administer all funds paid into Court and all investments made, on behalf of beneficiaries, will remain in the name of the Senior Master.

    Impact on service to beneficiaries

    There will be absolutely no impact on the high quality of service provided to beneficiaries and others who have dealings with FIC and the Court.

    Over the coming weeks and months you will notice our new name appearing on our letterhead, other printed stationery and all our printed and electronic publications.

    Our website domain name and email addresses will be changed in due course and we will notify you when this occurs.

    Note to practitioners and others paying moneys into Court:-

    All cheques providing for payment of moneys into Court should continue to be made out to The Senior Master of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  • FIC will be closed for Melbourne Cup

    November 05, 2012

    FIC will be closed for Melbourne Cup

    Please note that Funds in Court operating hours for Monday, 5 November and Tuesday, 6 November 2012 are:

    Monday:

    9:00 to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm

    Tuesday (Melbourne Cup Day):

    Closed

  • Global Corporate Challenge Update

    September 28, 2012

    Global Corporate Challenge Update

    In our August Newsletter we informed you that a group of employees from the SMO participated in the Global Corporate Challenge.

    We are happy to announce that our Team SMO consisting of Linda Coviello, Kerry Flynn, Graeme Morris, Kathy Murton, Nichola Pye, Reshma Shah, Rouba Urrutia and Liliana Varvarigos have completed the Challenge and made the SMO very proud.

    This year’s Challenge involved 184,036 and 26,290 teams across the globe. Over 112 days, a combined 195 billion steps were taken and 8 billion calories burned.

    Team SMO came in at 9,547 having travelled a total of 6,168 km.

    That result was just ahead of Team Supreme who came in at 9,692, having travelled 6,143 km, followed by the other five Supreme Court teams.

    We would like to congratulate Team SMO on their excellent effort.  Another article about their participation in the Challenge will appear in our January Newsletter.

    For more information on the Global Corporate Challenge go to http://www.gettheworldmoving.com/

  • Senior Master K J Mahony Retires

    September 07, 2012

    Senior Master Kevin J Mahony Retires

    Associate Justice Kevin J Mahony, will be retiring today, 7 September 2012, after twenty nine years as  Senior Master of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

    Associate Justice John Efthim, a long time colleague and friend of Senior Master Mahony, has been appointed as his replacement for an initial period of six months.

    Senior Master Mahony has written to all beneficiaries concerning his retirement.  The letter should arrive in the week commencing 10 September 2012.  You can download a PDF version of the letter at the end of the page

    On 6 September 2012, a farewell sitting of the Supreme Court of Victoria was held in Banco Court for Associate Justice Mahony.  You may view a webcast of the farewell on the Supreme Court website at:

    http://scv2.webcentral.com.au/farewells/farewell_MahonyAJ_6sep12/main.htm

    Attachment:
    Senior Master Mahony’s Retirement Letter (389 KB PDF)

  • New CF-3 Fact Sheet

    August 29, 2012

    New CF-3 Fact Sheet

    This fact sheet reports on the performance of Common Fund No. 3 (CF-3) for the financial year 2011-12. You can find the fact sheet under the Publications tab.

  • Embrace 2012 is Coming!!

    August 03, 2012

    Embrace 2012 is Coming!!

    The SMO will again be holding a special night of celebration called “Embrace” to showcase beneficiaries’ talents. For more details go to our Events page.