Covid-19 Past Alert Level 2 and Past Alert Level 3 as at 30 August 2021

Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall
reinstated 30 August 2021

Preamble

1. Courts are an essential service. At Alert Levels 2 and 3, and subject to the restrictions noted below, the Coroners Court will carry out all its usual work that can be safely supported. This requires the co-operation of all parties to ensure the courts function at the fullest extent they safely can in performance of their constitutional role.

2. Coroners conduct most of their work on the papers, without the need for a Court hearing. Alert Levels 2 and 3 will not impact on coroners receiving new cases, making directions on files and making written findings.

3. The restrictions are:

a. Inquests and other hearings will be considered on a case by case basis. Hearings may proceed with participants in the Court or with some participants joining by audio-visual link (“AVL”) or with all participants joining by AVL.

b. If counsel, or other persons required or proposing to attend a hearing (for example, interested parties) 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 coroner should be advised so that alternative arrangements for the appearance can be made.

Masks

4. The Chief Justice has advised that, because of concerns about community transmission of Covid-19, all those attending courts should wear masks in public spaces and courtrooms. Those attending court will be reminded of this at the security screening stations. Attendees will be offered a mask if they do not already have one.

5. Counsel, defendants, parties and witnesses may be required to remove masks when speaking in court or otherwise by judicial direction.

Other hygiene protocols

6. So far as possible, counsel should take instructions and brief witnesses outside the courthouse, to minimise demand on interview rooms. Larger rooms will be made available for interviews, and counsel may request breaks to take instructions safely using those facilities.

7. Safe distancing will be observed in the courtroom, and the following hygiene practices can be expected.

a. Those working in the courtroom, including counsel and security staff, are required to maintain 1m social distancing, and alternate seats in public galleries will be taped off.

b. Cleaning products are available on site to enable staff and lawyers to keep their immediate areas clean (including AVL suites).

c. Hand sanitiser will be readily available within the courtroom.

d. The court will not normally permit documents to be handed up. Documents that parties wish to produce should be scanned and shared by email at the appropriate time.

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

9. Accredited news media will continue to have entry to the court in order to report court proceedings, and to ensure continued open and transparent justice. Remote access for accredited news media, will continue to be facilitated in accordance with current protocols.

Expectations of counsel

10. Counsel are expected to assist the court by:

a. Briefing clients and witnesses on public health messages:

i. Not to come to court if unwell.
ii. To advise counsel as early as possible if they are unable to attend court.
iii. Social distancing expectations in the courthouse and precincts.
iv. How exhibits will be handled in their case.
v. What they may expect by way of PPE (personal protective equipment) and hygiene supplies in the courthouse.
vi. The limits on attendance by support persons and members of the public.

b. Reducing the need for attendance in the courthouse by counsel, their clients and witnesses by reviewing each attendance in advance and:

i. Seeking remote participation for appropriate witnesses.
ii. Seeking excusals from appearances in administrative hearings.
iii. Limiting the number of witnesses via the use of agreed facts.

c. Raising any deficiencies with cleaning, the availability of cleaning supplies or physical distancing with the site manager immediately.

Triaging to avoid unnecessary in-person appearances

11. Triage should be identified as a primary means to manage demand, and there should be clear expectations that counsel will co-operate and take a pro-active approach to ensure that unnecessary in-person appearances are minimised, and use is made of remote participation whenever appropriate.

12. Any queries about a case should be made to the Case Manager of the coroner assigned to the case.

13. If participants do not know which coroner is assigned to the case, they can contact their local Coronial Services Unit at:

local Coronial Services Unit

Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall
At Alert Level 4: current as at 25 August 2021

1. Courts are an essential service. Coroners conduct essential services in relation to deaths reportable under the Coroners Act 2006.

2. At Alert Level 4, subject to the restrictions noted below, the Coroners Court will carry out as many of its usual functions as can be safely supported. This requires the cooperation of all parties to ensure the courts function at the fullest extent they safely can in performance of their constitutional role.

3. Coroners conduct most of their work on the papers, without the need for a Court hearing. Alert Level 4 will not impact on coroners receiving new cases, making directions on files and making written findings.

4. At Alert Level 4, no face to face court appearances will proceed. Some matters may be dealt with by audio-visual link or teleconference.

5. Whether hearings are suitable to proceed by audio-visual link or teleconference will be considered on a case by case basis.

6. Any enquiries about a case should be made to the Case Manager of the coroner assigned to the case.

7. If participants do not know which coroner is assigned to the case, they can contact their local Coronial Services Unit at:

local Coronial Services Unit

Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall
17 February 2021 current as at 30 June 2021

1. Coroners conduct most of their work on the papers, without the need for a Court hearing. Alert Level 2 will not impact on coroners receiving new files, making directions on files and making written findings.

2. Inquests and other hearings will be organised and conducted by coroners on a case by case basis. Hearings may proceed with participants in the Court or with some participants joining by audio-visual link (“AVL”) or with all participants joining by AVL.

3. Hearings will not proceed in person if a coroner considers the hearing cannot be conducted safely.

4. For in-Court hearings, the Ministry of Justice has stringent cleaning processes in place for all public contact surfaces. Hand sanitizers, tissues and paper towels will be available on counsel benches and in the witness box. PPE will be available for Ministry of Justice staff and security. Participants may use their own PPE.

5. Pre-inquest hearings and applications can be conducted by teleconference or on the papers. If possible, applications and accompanying documents should be filed electronically.

6. We are also planning for the possibility that there are new cases within the area served by a courthouse. In that event we will rely on official advice. Steps may be taken to reduce in-person attendances at court to protect those working or appearing there; the extent of any reduction will depend on the circumstances and official advice or notices.

7. Any queries about a case should be made to the Case Manager of the coroner assigned to the case.

8. If participants do not know which coroner is assigned to the case, they can contact their local Coronial Services Unit at:

local Coronial Services Unit