Employment Court: Past Alert Level 1 COVID-19 Protocol

Chief Judge Christina Inglis
10 June 2020

This protocol replaces the protocol issued on 13 May 2020.

1.  The Employment Court will, in general, return to normal operations.

2.  The use of remote participation will remain available for use on application in appropriate cases, such as purely procedural matters and work not involving witnesses.

3.  Upon the revocation/expiry of the notice under s 5 of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006, some of the amendments made to the High Court Rules 2016 by the High Court (COVID-19 Preparedness) Amendment Rules 2020 will no longer operate.  It will also mean that s 24 of the Epidemic Preparedness Act will no longer be available to be used to modify rules of court.

4.  As a consequence, as from the effective date of that revocation/expiry, the emergency provisions, such as those in relation to methods of service, swearing of affidavits, and participation in hearings and at trials will no longer operate.  The usual rules of the Court, including the High Court Rules as appropriate, will generally resume in full force and effect.

5.  The ability to file documents electronically, and to pay filing fees by remote means, will continue to apply.

Health and safety

6.  If counsel, or other persons required or proposing to attend a hearing (for example, a party) are unwell, they should not attend Court.  If this applies, the presiding judge should be advised so that alternative arrangements for the appearance can be made.

7.  The Ministry of Justice will provide the hygiene measures described on their website.

8.  Any concerns about health and safety practices in the Court should be raised with the Registrars in the first instance.

Contact details

9.  Participants should feel free to contact the Registrar of the Employment Court directly for further guidance or clarification.  The contact details are set out below.

Auckland

Registrar: Mima Bobot
09 916 6359
mima.bobot@justice.govt.nz
Emergency phone: 027 295 6673

Electronic filing is to be sent to: mima.bobot@justice.govt.nz

Postal:

Employment Court
CX10086
Auckland

Wellington and Christchurch

Registrar: Joseph Buckton
04 918 8313
joseph.buckton@justice.govt.nz
Emergency phone: 021 946 790

Electronic filing is to be sent to: joseph.buckton@justice.govt.nz

Postal:

Employment Court
SX10009
Wellington