Established in 1852 during the gold rush, the Supreme Court of Victoria quickly became one of the most important institutions in the young colony.
As Melbourne grew into one of the wealthiest cities in the world, a grand courthouse was commissioned to reflect its ambitions. The present building, completed in 1884 and designed by architect A.E. Johnson, stands along William Street with its imposing façade and classical colonnade.
Inside these walls, generations of judges, barristers and solicitors have shaped the development of Victorian law. Landmark constitutional battles such as the Spycatcher litigation have played out here, alongside modern criminal trials that capture national attention.
For those who practise here, the building is more than architecture. It is where precedent is set, advocacy sharpened and the law continues to evolve.
Supreme Court of Victoria. The centre of the state’s judicial life since 1884.
