All civil matters set down for hearing in the Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and Greymouth High Courts have been adjourned from 25 March 2020 until Friday 15 May 2020, Associate Judge Dale Lester has advised.

He says for the avoidance of doubt, the adjournment applies to judicial settlement conferences, civil lists, duty judge lists and telephone conferences.

The adjournment also applies to Associate Judge matters in the Nelson and Blenheim registries.

Associate Judge Lester says all matters are nominally adjourned to Friday 15 May 2020 to a telephone conference to be allocated before a judicial officer.

That date is subject to further adjournment if the Level 4 virus alert remains in place as at the week beginning Monday 11 May 2020.  If that is the case, a further communication from the High Court will be made that week.

In respect of any urgent matter where counsel can agree directions, including those in the earthquake list, counsel may still email a joint memorandum to ChristchurchHC@justice.govt.nz seeking directions or orders by consent.

Associate Judge Lester says that if any truly time-sensitive application arise, counsel are urged to agree interim holding arrangements and, if necessary, seek orders by consent.  If agreement cannot be reached in respect of such an application then a telephone conference can be allocated.  While formal memoranda are preferred, emails to ChristchurchHC@justice.govt.nz will be accepted during this time.