The Victorian Law Reform Commission (the Commission) is conducting a review of Victoria's civil justice system.  The government has given the Commission one year to provide an overview of the principles and objectives driving the civil justice system and to identify areas for future law reform.  The Commission issued a consultation paper which set out numerous issues arising out of the terms of reference and sought comment on how the following aims can be achieved:

• modernisation, simplification and harmonisation of the rules of civil procedure within and across the jurisdictions of the Supreme Court, the County Court and the Magistrates' Court;

• reduction in the cost of litigation;

• promotion of the principles of fairness, timeliness, proportionality, choice, transparency,

quality, efficiency and accountability in the civil justice system.

PILCH made a submission to the Commission which addresses a wide range of issues arising from the review's terms of reference.  A number of PILCH member firms contributed comments which were incorporated into PILCH's submission.  PILCH's submission draws on PILCH's extensive experience in the access to justice sector, in particular as a facilitator of pro bono legal services.

The Commission's consultation paper is available at www.lawreform.vic.gov.au