1300 039 390

We are currently updating this website to make it easier to use. Please be patient as we make changes. If you have any suggestions, please tell us in our Feedback form.

Home » News » We have a new name

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.

Back to news