Final answer:
VCAT has jurisdiction over a wide range of disputes in the state of Victoria, Australia, and offers an alternative to the court system for resolving conflicts. Examples of cases it handles include landlord-tenant disputes and appeals against planning decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
VCAT, or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, is a tribunal in the state of Victoria, Australia. It has jurisdiction over a wide range of disputes including residential tenancy, planning, guardianship, and discrimination cases.
VCAT has the power to make legally binding decisions and resolve disputes without the need for a lengthy court process. It offers a quicker and more accessible alternative to the formal court system.
Some examples of cases that VCAT can preside over are disputes between landlords and tenants, appeals against local council planning decisions, and discrimination claims.