Hearings are where all parties present their case, ask questions and provide evidence. VCAT makes a decision to resolve the dispute, for example by ordering one party to pay another party.
Hearings for cases about guardians and administrators are not based on resolving a conflict between two opposing sides. Instead, the hearing is focused on protecting the needs of the person who has, or needs, a substitute decision-maker.
If the case has attracted high levels of media attention or public interest, we may publish the decision on our website. We also share decisions that help explain how we apply the law in different situations.
VCAT makes a decision in a matter after hearing the evidence, looking at the documents provided by each party and considering how the law applies to your case.
If the other party in your dispute does not follow the order that VCAT has given, you can enforce it through a court. We do not enforce a decision or order.
