More than 30 cases were listed in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday with an additional three people in the city's police station cells waiting to appear for bail/remand hearings.

Some notable people listed to appear included Warrnambool man Paul McDonough, 37, who is charged with the murder of a 28-year-old woman in east Warrnambool; Port Fairy's Jessica Wilson, 35, charged with murdering a man at a south-west caravan park; and Dale Kennett, 52, of Hamilton, charged over a fatal hit-and-run in March.

But some matters were delayed due to technological issues in the court.

Magistrates' courts throughout Victoria have been using online video conferencing applications to host matters during the coronavirus pandemic, in an attempt to limit the number of people physically attending court buildings.

And only the most urgent cases are heard - such as bail applications and plea hearings, family violence applications, and cases involving people in custody.

But on Friday, sounds were distorted, internet signals were repeatedly freezing or dropping out and links to some remand centres and prisons could not be established, meaning accused people were not appearing in before the court at all.

Those matters were temporarily put on hold or adjourned to other dates.

A 51-year-old Hamilton man intended to plead guilty to serious family violence offending but a dodgy link to the Marngoneet Correctional Centre meant the matter was temporarily stood down.

South-west lawyers have repeatedly voiced their concerns over difficulties establishing same-day video-links due to popular demand, meaning some cases might not be heard for another week or more.

A 35-year-old Warrnambool man could not enter a consolidated plea due to videoconferencing application WebEx failing to connect and was remanded in custody until August.

And a matter involving a 24-year-old man charged with escaping from police was heard without the accused present because the court could not establish a link to Port Phillip Prison.

Legal Aid lawyer Jess Dean said it had been "very difficult" to get in touch with her client over the past few days.

That matter was adjourned to August 24 for a committal mention.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie said it was "difficult times for everybody".

"It's been an interesting morning so far," he told the court.

"We've got video-links and WebExs going and we are grateful for everyone being patient with this process because at the end of the day we are trying to assist everybody."

The magistrate applauded court staff for their perseverance.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.