VPRS 476 Appeals from the Supreme Court of Victoria to the Privy Council

This series contains records relating to appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council from the Supreme Court of Victoria. These records are generally in the form of Records of Proceedings, but also include Transcript of Appeals and Appeal Books and vary in the level of detail included. Appeal books include case details that are prepared by the appellant's legal practitioner and submitted to the court. Appeals from state Supreme Courts originally were made to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council by leave of the court or as of right in certain matters. In Victoria, this was legislated along with the establishment of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1852 (Act 15 Vic.,No.10). After the establishment of the High Court of Australia in 1903 by the Commonwealth Judiciary Act, the High Court became the general appeal court from state Supreme Courts in state and federal matters. Although appeals to the Privy Council were not disallowed until the passing of the Australia Act 1986, legislative changes over the 20th century increasingly limited the Privy Council as an appeal option. For records of appeals to the High Court of Australia see VPRS 268.