On this page you will find all the latest information about how New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 is impacting the legal profession. We will continue to update this page as alert levels change, and will provide regular updated advice from reputable sources for the law profession.
Current situation
17/02/2021: Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 and the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February 2021. From Thursday 18 February the following protocols in court will be:
Auckland Courts
Jury trials will resume in the Auckland High Court, Auckland District Court and Manukau District Court provided they can be accommodated safely in accordance with Alert Level 2 restrictions. Any jury trials that cannot safely be accommodated at Alert Level 2 will be adjourned or stood down.
Civil matters will resume in the Auckland High Court.
Information on the operation of all courts in Auckland at Alert Level 2 is available on the Courts of New Zealand website.
Courts outside of Auckland
Outside of Auckland, courts will return to normal operation and will be open to the public.
Criminal jury trials will proceed as usual. Everyone attending court will continue to be encouraged to wear face masks in public areas and in the courthouses.
We will update this page with more information as it becomes available.
Guidance for lawyers
Please contact us if there is specific guidance that you require. Call 0800 436 529 or email enquiries@fortunemanning.co.nz
If there is a change to alert levels we will re-publish relevant guidance on this page.
Courts
Auckland Courts
Jury trials will resume in the Auckland High Court, Auckland District Court and Manukau District Court from Thursday 18 February, provided they can be accommodated safely in accordance with Alert Level 2 restrictions.
Any jury trials that cannot safely be accommodated at Alert Level 2 will be adjourned or stood down. This decision is made at a local level and court staff will contact participants including jurors in these instances.
Civil matters will resume in the Auckland High Court.
For physical distancing reasons, entry to the Court is restricted during Alert Level 2. Entry to the Court will be limited to members of the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice staff members, defendants, parties, witnesses, complainants, victims, and other stakeholders.
Members of the public (including a whānau support person or persons for a defendant) whose presence is not required at court will not be permitted to enter unless granted permission from the presiding Judge.
Information on the operation of all courts in Auckland at Alert Level 2 is available on the Courts of New Zealand website.
Courts outside of Auckland
Outside of Auckland, courts will return to normal operation and will be open to the public.
Criminal jury trials will proceed as usual.
Everyone attending court will continue to be encouraged to wear face masks in public areas and in the courthouses.
Family Court
Principal Family Court Judge Jacquelyn Moran has released details of a new system for adoption applications in the Family Court for families in international surrogacy arrangements caught out by COVID red tape delays.
For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Ministry of Health’s Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please email enquiries@fortunemanning.co.nz
This page will be updated as we have more advice for members of the profession.
Source: lawsociety.org.nz
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