Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue has advised the New Zealand Law Society that the impact of escalating industrial action in the District Court has led her to make some decisions to ensure the orderly and efficient conduct of the court's business.

She says that exercising her statutory responsibilities pursuant to section 24(3) of the District Court Act 2016, she advises:

(1) With effect from 19 November 2018 the sessions of the District Court shall be altered to align the morning, lunch and afternoon adjournments with those being taken by Court staff.

(2) "It is no longer orderly or efficient to roster or schedule judges beyond the existing rosters, and cases that cannot be allocated an event or a hearing will be recorded on a ready list for scheduling at a later date."

Chief Judge Doogue says she appreciates the impact this may have on members of the legal profession, "but I trust I can rely on their cooperation and goodwill to help keep the wheels of justice turning for people who need access to justice and who rely on the District Court."