In brief - Applicants must satisfy obligations but ultimate
decision to grant order rests with court or tribunal
A successful suppression order application requires an applicant
to think carefully about the grounds for suppression orders,
procedural steps, evidence and drafting, ensuring that the
Open Courts Act 2013 (Vic) obligations are satisfied.
Applicants should also be mindful of the difference between
pseudonym and suppression orders and consider which is more
suitable for the desired purpose.
Open Courts Act limits the circumstances under which
suppression orders can be made
Commencing 1 December 2013, the Open Courts Act was
introduced in part to consolidate the statutory powers of all
Victorian courts and tribunals to make suppression orders and in
part to promote, strengthen and reinforce the concept of "open
justice". It creates a general presumption in favour of
disclosure of information and provides that suppression orders can
only be made in
