Judgments
A legal judgment is a court’s decision on the rights of those involved in a court action.
Judges sometimes include the reasoning and interpretations of the law which led them to make the decision. The Courts and Tribunals website has a number of links to judgments relevant to Victorian courts.
A judge’s decision in a case is binding on those involved. In other words, they must do whatever the judge says should be done after the case is over.
Appeals
People can apply to a higher court to review the decision of a lower court. For example, appeals go to the County Court from the Magistrates Court and the Children’s Court Criminal Division. County Court decisions on appeals are generally final.
In some cases, appeals against decisions can be made in the same arena. For example, people can lodge appeals against decisions in the Children's Court Family Division at any Children's Court venue that hears Family Division cases.
There are time limits to appeal a decision. Most court and tribunal websites have information on how to appeal a sentence or decision.