CHIEF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE FOR NEW ZEALAND
TE KAIWHAKAWĀ MATUA O TE KŌTI-Ā-ROHE
Judge Heemi Taumaunu
All divisions of the District Court, including Family Court and Youth Court, are preparing to resume as much work as possible when New Zealand’s pandemic response moves to COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
The Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, has issued a Protocol(external link) for how the court will operate from 28 April under Alert Level 3.
During the Alert Level 4 period, the District Court has been focusing on priority proceedings such as those involving vulnerable people or those being held in custody. However, Chief Judge Taumaunu says that under Alert Level 3 the court aims to expand operations to deliver more justice services, as is feasible within workforce capacity and while observing physical distancing requirements.
As the Chief Justice announced yesterday, the District Court will be open to the public – albeit with limited capacity for anyone not required to attend to be present. The Chief District Court Judge’s Protocol(external link) sets out these details.
Pandemic health and safety measures, including limits on numbers in courtrooms and court buildings, will continue to be observed. People will be asked to enter their identification details into a COVID-19 contact-tracing register when they arrive.
“From Tuesday onwards, if anyone has a scheduled date to appear in the criminal court, Family Court, Youth Court or civil court, they will need to come to court unless they are advised otherwise by the court,” Chief Judge Taumaunu said. “If anyone is unsure about when they need to appear, please ring 0800 COURTS (268 787).”
Impacts on court users during Alert Level 3 include:
Chief Judge Taumaunu thanks all court users and participants for their patience during the unavoidable disruption of recent weeks. “Alert Level 3 restrictions mean the court will still be operating at a reduced capacity, but this does not diminish District Court Judges’ commitment to access to justice for our communities.”
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