Category: Uncategorized

The Victorian Auditor General has audited the Senior Master’s Financial Reports and again provided a clear (unqualified) opinion stating that:

In my opinion, the financial reports present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positions of the Funds in Court as at 30 June 2022 and their financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the accounting policies described in note 2 to the financial statements.  

The opinion and attached Senior Master’s Financial Report can be read here and in the Financial Reports area our Publications page.

The annual fact sheets for the 2021-2022 Financial Year in respect of Common Funds Nos. 2 & 3 are now available in our Publications Section under Investment Information. You can also download the documents by clicking the links below :-

CF-2 Annual Fact Sheet 30 June 2022

Common Fund No. 3 Performance 2021-2022

FIC’s Corporate Governance Statement for 2022 has now been published.  To view the statement and read more about the Senior Master’s Corporate Governance Framework please go to our Corporate Governance page.

The Senior Master and Funds in Court want to know how beneficiaries and their families and carers feel about the service Funds in Court provides to you and how you think we could do better.  Orima Research has been engaged by Funds in Court to conduct an independent survey to find out what you think Funds in Court does well and what you think Funds in Court could do better.  The results of the survey will be used to identify ways FIC can improve communication with beneficiaries and their families and how we can provide you with the best service.

Orima is an independent research agency and will conduct the survey in accordance with the Federal and State privacy legislation and the Market Research Society’s Code of Professional Behaviour.  The survey will be conducted online, by mail and by telephone.  All responses to the survey will be   anonymous and Orima will not tell Funds in Court who said what.

Participation in the survey is voluntary.  If you do NOT wish to be contacted, please send an email to feedback@fundsincourt.vic.gov.au, or contact FIC reception by telephone on 1300 039 390 to ask that your name be removed from the survey pool.

If we do not hear from you by Thursday, 4 August 2022, your name, email address and phone number may be provided to Orima, and you MAY be contacted and asked to complete the survey.   If you are happy to help with the survey you do not need to do anything further.  Not everyone will be contacted by Orima, they will randomly select a number of beneficiaries (and families) to contact.

You can withdraw from the survey at any time. Please take some time to think about why the survey is being done before deciding if you would like to participate.

If you have any questions, please contact FIC by email at feedback@fundsincourt.vic.gov.au, or by telephone on 1300 039 390.

The Common Funds No.3 Quarterly Fact Sheet for period ended March 2022 is now available in our Publications Section under Investment Information. You can also download the document by clicking the link below :-

Common Fund No.3 Performance Mar 22 Quarter

Senior Master Efthim Retires

Associate Justice John Efthim retired on 8 April 2022 as an Associate Judge and the Senior Master of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

His Honour was appointed a Master of the Supreme Court on 18 July 2005.  He, along with the other Masters, was made an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court on 17 December 2008.   

He was appointed Senior Master, replacing the late Associate Justice Mahony, on 12 September 2012 for 6 months and then permanently on 5 March 2013. 

The Senior Master’s skills as one of the preeminent mediators in Australia will not be lost to the Court as he has been appointed as a Reserve Associate Judge.

The Management and Staff of Funds in Court wish to express their deep-felt gratitude to Associate Justice Efthim for his many year’s guidance and support and, on behalf of FIC’s beneficiaries, his unfailing commitment to ensuring that FIC provided the best possible service to them.

New Senior Master Appointed

Judicial Registrar Fiona Steffensen was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria on 12 April 2022.

Associate Justice Steffensen will also hold the role of Senior Master of the Supreme Court, following the retirement of Associate Justice Efthim. Associate Justice Steffensen is only the fourth judicial officer to hold the position of Senior Master and the first woman to be appointed to the role.

Her Honour brings over 19 years of experience as a judicial officer and legal practitioner.

The Management and Staff of FIC warmly congratulate Associate Justice Steffensen on her appointment and welcome her to Funds in Court.