The Magistrates Court has confirmed that it will remain open at all locations. It has, however implemented a number of temporary measures to reduce the number of people in court buildings.

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

If you are not in custody, your matter will be adjourned. You do not need to go to Court. If you are on bail, your bail will be extended in your absence. You should continue to comply with any conditions of your bail undertaking. 

The Court has nominated the 15th of June as the adjourned date for all matters, but this is likely to change in the future. 

Certain hearings for accused in custody will be heard by audio visual link. These include bail applications and guilty pleas. Contested hearings for in custody accused will be adjourned to the nominal date of the 15th of June.

We will be contacting all clients with upcoming criminal matters in the Magistrates Court in due course. If you have any questions or concerns about your matter, please contact us for clarification.

INTERVENTION ORDER PROCEEDINGS

Other than new applications (first listings) all Family Violence and Intervention Order matters will be adjourned. You do not need to go to Court. The Court will advise you of new hearing dates in due course. We will be in contact with all clients with upcoming Intervention Order hearings shortly.

If you are experiencing family violence please do not hesitate to contact us for specific advice. We will endeavour to be as flexible as possible in how we deliver our services to ensure that your safety is not compromised.

CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

Unless you are specifically told to, you do not need to go to Court. There are provisions for applications to be determined based on paperwork filed, or adjourned. Please contact us if you need clarification in relation to your civil matter.

Special measures are also in place in other Courts and we will provide information in relation to these separately.  

CHILDREN'S COURT – CRIMINAL DIVISION

At this stage it appears that Children's Court Criminal Division will continue to operate. There are provisions for matters to be adjourned without attending Court. Current listings are being reviewed and Court times may be staggered to reduce the number of people at Court. 

We will be in contact with all clients with upcoming Children's Court Criminal matters to discuss their particular situation. 

  Court Counters will be closed as of today, but Registries will continue to operate via Phone and online services. 

Courts will be conducting their work by telephone wherever possible, with a view to introducing videoconferencing. Only urgent matters will be dealt with by face to face hearings, and specific protocols will apply to these. 

Final defended hearings that are assessed as being of low priority may be referred back to Alternative Dispute Resolution, and will otherwise be adjourned indefinitely. 

We will be in contact with all Family Law clients with upcoming Court dates shortly to provide specific advice as to how their matter is likely to proceed. 

  The County Court has suspended all new Jury Trials. They will be auditing upcoming listings, and potentially bringing other matters such as Pleas and Sentence Appeals forward.  All Appeals against conviction will be vacated, and will not be listed for hearing in the short term. 

If you have an upcoming County Court matter with our office we will be in touch with you shortly to advise you about the next steps.