Supreme Court: Past Alert Level 1 COVID-19 Protocol

9 June 2020: Practice note, COVID-19 Past Alert Level 1
Remote Hearings Protocol

Protocol: COVID-19 Past Alert Level 1

Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann
9 June 2020

1. This protocol applies during COVID-19 Alert Level 1 and comes into effect on Wednesday 10 June 2020. It replaces the protocol issued on 13 May 2020.

Hearings

2. The Court intends to hear all appeals and applications for leave to appeal that have been scheduled for hearing during the Alert Level 1 period. The Court anticipates that, generally, hearings will proceed in the normal way, with all judges and counsel present in person in the Supreme Court courtroom. The Court will notify counsel in advance of the hearing if it is intended that the hearing will be conducted other than on the above basis.

3. If counsel, or other persons required or proposing to attend a hearing (for example, a party) are at higher risk of severe illness, immune-compromised or with a relevant underlying health condition, they should not attend Court. If this applies, the Court should be advised so that alternative arrangements for the appearance can be made.

4. Members of the media covered by the In-Court Media Coverage Guidelines may apply to observe a hearing using VMR. Any such application must be made at least five working days prior to the hearing.

5. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Remote Hearings Protocol will apply to any hearings involving remote participants. That protocol also governs media and public access to hearings.

Hygiene

6. The Supreme Court courtroom will continue to be cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis. Benches and the rostrum from which counsel address the Court will be cleaned after each hearing. The media room will also be cleaned after each hearing. Hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes will be available inside the courtroom and media room.

Filing of documents

7. Court documents may be filed in person, by post or by email. Filing by email is encouraged except for applications for leave to appeal. The Supreme Court Rules 2004 require applications for leave to appeal to be filed in person or by post.

Filing fees

8. The payment of fees relating to applications for leave to appeal or interlocutory applications (whether filed electronically or by mail) may be made as usual via the direct credit facility or by cheque. Fee waiver applications can also be provided as usual electronically or by mail. Please contact the Court if you have any issues regarding the payment of fees.

Addresses for filing documents and contacting the Court

All electronic filing should be sent to supremecourt@justice.govt.nz. This is also the email address for urgent enquiries.

All filing by mail should be sent to:

85 Lambton Quay
Wellington 6011

DX: SX11224, Wellington

This Protocol is subject to revision.

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Remote Hearings Protocol

The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have issued a protocol for conducting remote hearings.

This contains procedural instructions and technical information for counsel, parties, witnesses, media, and other observers who will be remotely participating in hearings in these Courts.

The Protocol also contains instructions for people who wish to attend a hearing in person. Please refer to these instructions if you are unsure whether you are able to attend in person.