Supreme Court: COVID-19 Past Alert Level 3 Protocol
Contents
Remote Hearings Protocol
23 April 2020: Practice note, COVID-19 Past Alert Level 3
Remote Hearings Protocol
The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have issued a protocol for conducting remote hearings.
This contains procedural instructions and technical information for counsel, parties, witnesses, media, and other observers who will be remotely participating in hearings in these Courts.
The Protocol also contains instructions for people who wish to attend a hearing in person while travel restrictions are in force. Seats in these Courts are being reserved only for those whose attendance in person has been arranged before each hearing. Please refer to these instructions if you are unsure whether you are able to attend in person.
Protocol: COVID-19 Past Alert Level 3
Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann
23 April 2020
The Prime Minister has announced that New Zealand is moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 - Restrict at 11:59 pm on 27 April. This protocol sets out how the Supreme Court will operate during the period of Alert Level 3.
1. During the continuation of Alert Level 3, all filing of court documents is to be by email. If a party does not have the ability to file electronically, mail will still be periodically checked. However, because of hygiene requirements there will be a delay in processing documents received by post.
2. No documents will be received for filing in person at the court registry.
3. For documents filed during the continuation of Alert Level 3 (whether electronically or by mail), pursuant to the provisions of s 24 of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006, the payment of filing fees is waived.
4. Any hearings that will proceed during this period will be conducted by audio-visual link or telephone. The Court will contact counsel closer to the hearing date about the arrangements to be made for the hearings of the Supreme Court that are scheduled to be heard over the next three months.
5. Special arrangements will be made for urgent hearings, if required.
6. The Court will be flexible with these procedures and with filing deadlines. If deadlines are not able to be met, contact should be made with the registry by email to seek an extension of time.
Addresses for filing documents and contacting the Court
All electronic filing should be sent to supremecourt@justice.govt.nz. This is also the email address for urgent enquiries.
All filing by mail should be sent to:
85 Lambton Quay
Wellington 6011
DX: SX11224, Wellington