Latest update on Court service in Christchurch
The Ministry of Justice advises that all court buildings in Christchurch are within the central business district cordon. All court buildings will remain closed until further notice.
Justice services are operating out of Rangiora District Court and Christchurch Men’s Prison with the support of both local and national response teams.
Anyone with queries about court matters, fines or any other justice-related service should contact the 24-hour freephone number 0800 324 627
The ministry has leased a property on an industrial estate to provide its service sites with essential support and administration staff. It hopes to have this in operation by Monday 14 March.
District Courts
Criminal matters: People with scheduled court dates will be rescheduled to a future date. No members of the public summoned for jury duty at Christchurch District Court are required. People on bail who have relocated away from Christchurch to other centres should approach the closest court to seek a variation to their bail conditions.
Urgent Family Court applications are being dealt with by the Wellington and Dunedin Courts. Phone 04 918 8000 or 03 471 5100
Civil matters: General civil matters, excluding Tenancy, may be filed at either the Rangiora or Ashburton Courts. Tenancy matters should be referred to the Department of Building and Housing Tenancy Services, phone 0800 836 262
Disputes Tribunal hearings scheduled in Rangiora for this week (28 February to 4 March) have been postponed.
High Court
All Christchurch High Court matters are being considered as adjourned. The Wellington High Court is in a position to deal with Christchurch proceedings. Until further notice applications for any High Court matters may be lodged in the Wellington registry of the High Court. Postal or electronic filing will be accepted.
Wellington High Court
2 Molesworth St
DX SX 11199
Wellington 6140
Attention: Ms J Penney, Civil Caseflow Manager
Tel: 04 914 3600
Fax: 04 914 3603
Email: canterburyhcapplications@justice.govt.nz
Māori Land Court
Scheduled Māori Land Court sittings set down at Invercargill on 8 March and at Dunedin on 9 March will proceed. The scheduled Māori Land Court sitting set down in Christchurch on 10 March has been cancelled and all matters adjourned to the April Court sitting
Employment Court
The representatives of parties with scheduled hearings in the Christchurch courtroom are being contacted by the Registry to make alternative arrangements.
Environment Court
Sittings in Blenheim planned for the week of 7 March will proceed as planned. Work is underway to determine if matters, scheduled for Christchurch are able to proceed. This will depend on the availability of parties, witnesses and alternative venues.
Scheduled matters are:
- Expert witness caucusing planned for 9/10 March (Mt Cass Windfarm);
- The Canterbury Water Plain meditations during the week of 14 March;
- Sittings in Christchurch (Lower Waitaki) planned for week of 21 March.