Minister visits courts

Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu says courts are continuing to operate in Christchurch as a priority in helping to maintain law and order, and support justice services. Yesterday the minister visited the Ministry of Justice temporary command centre operating from Christchurch Men’s Prison. She says she was impressed by the way the Corrections Department has welcomed Courts’ temporary location to the prison, and by the way both Corrections and Courts are working with some priority to ensure that Courts’ systems are up and running.

Mrs te Heuheu says arrangements continue in place for essential court matters to be dealt with, despite the Christchurch courts complex being located within the CBD cordon. These include District Court services essential to support law and order including remand appearances at Christchurch Men’s Prison, and arrest matters, including Youth Court arrests, at Rangiora District Court.

The minister says that even in the wake of Tuesday’s earthquake, the Courts still managed to process 87 arrests and 53 in custody matters.

Court business continues as usual in Timaru, Ashburton and Rangiora.

Urgent Family Court applications are being dealt with by the Wellington and Dunedin Courts, and all non essential High Court matters set down for this week are adjourned. Until further notice, applications for any High Court matters may be lodged in Wellington. (Source: Press release from Minister for the Courts).

© New Zealand Law Society 2008