A legal quirk that has kept scores of documents about police misconduct allegations secret will be challenged at the Victorian civil tribunal on Tuesday.

The case will centre on a Melbourne man, Jordan Brown.

Jordan Brown claims he was claims he was falsely arrested, manhandled and detained without charge by police after filming an anti-advertising protest in Melbourne's CBD.

Two years ago, Mr Brown lodged a complaint with Victoria Police about his alleged ill-treatment but has since been blocked from accessing documents relating to the case.

Mr Brown had been filming an anti-advertising protest in Melbourne's CBD when he was approached by a police officer, who demanded that he identify himself and hand over his camera.