The Ministry of Justice says the Wellington High Court building has now been assessed by structural engineers as being structurally sound.

In an update on the Court following the earthquake on 14 November 2016, the ministry says the interior experienced significant water and other damage and it is developing a work plan to address this.

"Once the plan is finalised, we will be able to advise when the building will reopen, which is likely to be in early 2017."

High Court services will continue to be provided. In the interim, the Wellington High Court registry will continue to be based on the sixth floor of the Wellington District Court (43-49 Ballance St).

Lawyers or members of the public wanting to file documents can do so there. All other contact details for the High Court (phone and email) remain the same.

High Court matters will be rescheduled to other courtrooms in Wellington. Daily lists of fixtures and their locations continue to be published on the Courts of New Zealand website.

The High Court has also advised that they can provide access to the lockers in the Law Society Library in the High Court Building on Friday 2 December 2016 at 8:00am should people need to retrieve items they have left there.