This series relates to industrial disputes and court cases. A file was raised by a notification of a dispute. The number given was the case number. The file covers give the subject (e.g. Award and year), also the main outlinesof the application. The files consist of:
(1) Application
(2) Correspondence
(3) Transport
(4) Order
(5) Statement of case
and also include contemporary cut-out newspaper articles which document and detail certain disputes. Sometimes affidavits of service, settlement of order and further affidavits are enclosed. The file cover has also an entry for later, related cases (numbers, dates, etc.). A new file number is given to Applications to vary files, Appeals files, Exhibit files etc. Each file raised, has two numbers in the right top corner. The top number is the original, application file number case number , the lower isthe number given to a particular file.
When the action is completed and a decision reached, all files relating to a particular case are kept together in a bundle and a cardboard added on top and bottom. The top cardboard gives the number of the case, the claimant and respondent, also part number (if applicable) and range of folio numbers, as each file is at that stage given a filio number on top right corner.
As a rule the transcripts of a case and exhibits are a part of this series, but practically the bulkier exhibits and more important transcripts are kept as separate series (in bound volumes in the latter case). The Registers of this series indicate that block numbers were given each year to cases raised in other states and the Principal Registry (Victoria being identified with the Principal Registry). All files were raised centrally and returned to Victoria on completion of action. This series ceased in 1956 when the Court split into two bodies, the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission and the Commonwealth Industrial Court - the disputes files for the Commission became the "C" prefix series and thosefor the Court the "B" prefix series.
Quantity in agency custody
72.20m : held by agency
Related series unregistered
Registers of Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration disputes files, annual single number series, by 1908-1956