Updated April 17, 2026
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has come up with a new criminal case management system (CMS) Portal — a secure system that is a single point for handling criminal cases digitally.
The CMS Portal is a major change in the processing of criminal cases throughout Victoria. The following is a summary of the portal, the court that introduced it, and the rationale behind this reform.
The case management system (CMS) Portal is a secure system and one-stop shop for criminal case management at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. It replaces eDocs, Courtlink, and EFAS for key external parties, such as Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, prosecuting agencies, and legal practitioners.
This management system (CMS) Portal was developed by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, with support from the Children’s Court of Victoria and Court Services Victoria. This criminal jurisdiction rollout builds on the portal’s use in the civil jurisdiction since October 2022.
This reform aims to modernise the justice system by improving how it receives, stores, and distributes information. It is in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Key goals include:
The CMS Portal introduces several practical changes to everyday criminal case handling. These changes include digital filing, real-time tracking, and more, and they influence the way court users interact with the system.
The CMS Portal enables electronic case initiation and digital filing, without the need to physically attend court. Charge sheets and summons can be filed by prosecuting agencies and law firms using fillable online forms.
Court users can access digitised case records, view hearing details in real time, and receive automated notifications when documents are progressed. The court’s diary is also accessible for listings.
Legal practitioners are able to request and gain access to a case lodged in the system, view their own filings, lodge payments, and obtain downloadable court orders. The portal requires individual accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication.
The CMS Portal has broader implications for criminal proceedings in Victoria, including impacts on administration, transparency, and court procedures.
The CMS Portal minimises delays by consolidating systems into a streamlined system. Document filing, automated notifications, and case tracking are all handled through one portal.
The portal provides real-time access to digitised case records. Legal practitioners and prosecuting agencies can track criminal matters and receive email notifications when updates occur.
The CMS Portal does not change criminal laws but introduces procedural changes. Prosecuting agencies must use the portal for all criminal matters once it is live.
Understanding how the Magistrates’ Court manages criminal cases under the new system is important for anyone involved in proceedings.
Filing charges and summons now uses a fillable online form. Law firms continue to file charge sheets on behalf of an informant. The court’s diary is accessible for managing court dates.
The following table shows how the CMS Portal supports each stage of case progression:
| Stage | Previous System | CMS Portal |
| Case Initiation | Paper-based or eDocs | Electronic case initiation via fillable forms |
| Document Filing | eDocs / physical lodgement | Digital filing through the portal |
| Case Tracking | Courtlink / manual processes | Real-time digitised case records |
| Court Orders | Collected in person | Downloadable court orders with notifications |
| Court Listings | EFAS / phone enquiries | Access to the court’s diary |
The CMS Portal changes how lawyers interact with the Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria. Legal practitioners can file appearances, request case access, and manage documents digitally.
The CMS Portal offers practical benefits for legal practitioners and defendants navigating the criminal justice system
The portal enables legal practitioners to view, search, and manage their own filings in one location. Stored payment details and case records are consolidated within the system.
Key benefits for defendants and their lawyers include:
A single portal for all records enables faster processing and reliable record-keeping for criminal and civil matters.
The criminal jurisdiction rollout marks a key milestone in the Court’s digital transformation. To support a smooth transition, Court Services Victoria has provided information sessions, training resources, and a CMS Help Centre.
At Doogue + George, our criminal defence lawyers are fully across the new CMS Portal. With over 30 years of experience, we ensure that new court systems do not affect your representation. Contact our team today.
The CMS Portal is used for criminal case management in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Children’s Court of Victoria, including electronic case initiation, digital filing, digitised case records, and downloadable court orders.
The portal is designed for professional court users, including Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, prosecuting agencies, and law firms. Individual accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication are required.
No. The CMS Portal changes how criminal cases are administered, not the substantive criminal laws of Victoria.
Once fully operational, all criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court of Victoria will be managed through the CMS Portal.
Yes. The CMS Portal is an administrative tool. An experienced criminal defence lawyer remains essential for protecting your rights and achieving the best outcome.
“This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult a qualified criminal defence lawyer before making any decisions regarding your matter”
