This section is intended to give legal practitioners and other interested professionals a general overview of the operations of FIC and provide links to further information.

FIC is an office of the Supreme Court of Victoria

FIC is a division of the Supreme Court of Victoria that assists the Senior Master to fulfil their duties in administering all funds paid into the Court in civil proceedings and, in particular, the funds paid as compensation to persons under a legal disability [clients].

The Senior Master

The Senior Master, The Honourable Associate Justice Fiona Steffensen, is a Judicial Member of the Court.  Pursuant to section 75 of the Constitution Act 1975, the Chief Justice, and the President of the Court of Appeal, the Judges, Associate Judges and Judicial Registrars constitute the Court.

Judicial Registrar

A Judicial Registrar of the Supreme Court assists the Senior Master. Judicial Registrar Kim Woronczak has been supporting the Senior Master at Funds in Court since May 2021.

Further details about the history of FIC and its predecessors can be found in Who we are.

Funds paid into the Supreme Court

Secition 113(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1986 provides that all moneys paid into the Supreme Court of Victoria under an order of the Court or any Act or the Rules are held by the Senior Master of the Court.

Funds paid in by all Courts and VoCAT

Pursuant to the Courts Legislation (Funds in Court) Act 2004, in any proceeding in the County Court, Magistrates Court or Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal in which it is adjudged or ordered that money be paid for a person under disability, unless otherwise ordered, that money is paid into the Supreme Court, and held by the Senior Master as if pursuant to an order in a civil proceeding in the Court.

“Award” or “compensation” funds

The bulk of the funds and assets administered by the Senior Master is held for persons under disability, whether due to minority, or an intellectual or severe physical disability (or both).  People whose money is so administered are called “clients”.  Such funds are called “Award” or compensation funds.

“Non-Award” or “disputed” funds

“Non-Award” or “disputed” funds are funds paid into Court that are not held for persons under disability; for example, funds paid into Court as security for costs or in respect of a dispute in a pending proceeding in the Court.