Update on Court services and arrangements today
All Christchurch court buildings are closed. Jury trials and scheduled hearings in Christchurch are postponed until further notice – no one is required for jury service.
Limited services are operating out of Rangiora District Court. All public inquiries from the Christchurch area should be directed to 0800 324 627. The Ministry of Justice is operating an arrest court and remand hearings out of Christchurch Men’s Prison.
For help with court matters, fines or any other justice-related service contact the Ministry of Justice’s 24-hour freephone number: 0800 324 627. Information is also updated on the ministry’s website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/media/christchurch-earthquake-february-2011/christchurch-earthquake-justice-services.
District Courts
People with scheduled court dates for criminal matters will be contacted directly and dates rescheduled.
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.
List court and other matters set down for Rangiora District Court will continue as scheduled this week.
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. The contact number for further information is 0800 836 262.
Disputes Tribunal hearings scheduled in Rangiora for this week have been postponed.
Family Court
Urgent Family Court applications are being dealt with in Christchurch. Applications should be made by contacting 0800 324 627 and this number can also be used for inquiries related to non-urgent matters.
High Court
The High Court is able to proceed with Christchurch matters depending on party and counsel availability. The Court will decide on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with counsel, how matters are to proceed, including where any hearings will be. The Registry will make contact with counsel involved in forthcoming fixtures to determine availability for any hearings.
As the Christchurch Court buildings are closed, proceedings are likely to be heard in alternative court centres such as Timaru, Ashburton, Wellington, Invercargill and Dunedin.
It is hoped to have some registry functions operating in Christchurch shortly. Until further notice, documents for any Christchurch High Court matter (urgent and non-urgent) can be filed at 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
canterburyhcapplications@justice.govt.nz
Māori Land Court
The scheduled Māori Land Court sitting set down in Christchurch on 10 March has been cancelled and all matters adjourned to April. Scheduled Māori Land Court sittings set down at Invercargill on 8 March and at Dunedin on 9 March will proceed.
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 this week 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) and sittings in Christchurch (Lower Waitaki) planned for week of 21 March.
Until further notice, all proceedings and documents that would otherwise be filed in the Christchurch Registry should be filed in the Wellington Registry of the Court (phone 04 918 8300, fax 04 913 8480).
Unless otherwise advised, all case-related queries should be directed in the first instance to:
David Goodman
Tel: 03 962 4170 or 09 916 9809
Fax: 09 916 9090
David.Goodman@justice.govt.nz
Coronial Services
Business as usual services for Christchurch Coroners are being managed from Wellington. The phone number is 04 910 4487.
For information relating to Coronial Services’ earthquake response go to www.justice.govt.nz/courts/coroners-court/christchurch-earthquake.