More details shared about court protocols under alert level 3
As New Zealand continues to function under COVID-19 alert level 3, courts are operating as follows.
Courts
According to the Ministry of Justice, courts and tribunals will continue to operate as normally as possible in line with health and safety guidelines. Attendees to court will be required to follow social distancing protocols. Some courts will be at reduced capacity, and some will be closed.
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Supreme Court
The court will continue proceedings virtually using a videoconferencing system that works on web browsers, announced Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann.
Court documents may only be submitted electronically or by post.
Court of Appeal
Regular hearings recommenced on 20 April.
Attendees for in-person hearings are required to follow strict sanitation and distancing procedures.
High Court
Criminal jury trials will not resume before 3 August, and cases requiring witnesses will be heard online.
District Court
Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu listed the protocols for the court’s operation under reduced capacity.