Archived COVID-19 Protection Framework - Green, Orange and Red Protocol, commenced on 31 January 2022
Archived
Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu
Access to the District Court at Green, Orange, and Red Setting
Accident Compensation Appeals (District Court Registry)
Nothing in this protocol is intended to reduce fair trial rights, the right to natural justice, or rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
The protocols outlined in this document commence on 31 January 2022 and set out practices to be applied in the Criminal, Youth, Family, and Civil divisions of the District Court where hearings are conducted at locations that are within Red, Orange, or Green settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
The courts are an essential service and the District Court will remain open at Red, Orange and Green settings.
This protocol recognises that local solutions may be necessary to best address local issues. Any variations must be approved by the Chief District Court Judge.
In this document “AVL” means any platform which allows for audio and visual remote participation. Without limitation, this includes VMR, MS Teams and any other electronic remote participation platform approved by the presiding judge.
In this document, “vulnerable” means a person who is at higher risk of severe illness, immune-compromised or has a relevant underlying health condition.
This protocol will be reviewed and modified as necessary by the Chief District Court Judge.
District Court at Green, Orange, And Red Setting
1. This protocol outlines how the District Court will operate at Green, Orange, and Red settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Access to the District Court at Green, Orange, and Red Settings
2. Persons attending Court must:[1]
(i) show a vaccine pass; or
(ii) provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of attendance; or
(iii) provide evidence of a negative rapid antigen test administered within 24 hours of attendance.
Defendants
3. Where a defendant in the criminal jurisdiction does not meet the requirements in paragraph 2:
a. A separate facility will be made available to enable remote participation for all appearances other than their trial.[2] Alternatively, an in-person appearance may be scheduled at a time which allows additional health and safety measures to be implemented by the Ministry of Justice.
b. A defendant’s entitlement to be physically present in the courtroom for their trial remains unchanged. Additional health and safety measures will be implemented to facilitate their physical presence in Court. However, all defendants will be required to comply with the health and safety requirements set out at paragraphs 10 through 15 below, in addition to any other health and safety directives that may be given by the Registrar or presiding judge. Defendants who are not in custody must also comply with the requirement at paragraph 11 below.
Jurors
4. Those summoned for jury service who do not meet the requirements in paragraph 2 will be subject to separate arrangements with appropriate health and safety measures put in place by the Ministry of Justice.
Counsel and all other participants
5. If counsel, a party or other participant do not meet the requirements in paragraph 2, to the extent that it is reasonably practicable, they should advise the Court at least 5 working days prior to the commencement of the hearing. This communication allows for their means of participation to be considered and, if appropriate, arrangements may be made for remote participation.
Attending Court
6. Where participants attend Court, to the extent that it is reasonably practicable:
(i) list courts will operate on a case by case call basis. Parties may be required to wait outside the courtroom until their case is called;
(ii) witnesses required to attend Court should not enter the courthouse until just prior to their scheduled attendance; and
(iii) counsel and prosecutors should take instructions and brief witnesses at a different location from the courthouse. Rooms will be made available, as far as practicable, in the Court for interviews and counsel may request breaks to take instructions safely using those facilities.
Media access
7. Accredited news media will have entry to the Court in accordance with the requirements in paragraph 2 to facilitate reporting on Court proceedings and to ensure continued open and transparent justice. Remote access for accredited news media will continue to be facilitated.
Remote participation and viewing
8. The Protocol for Participation in Remote Hearings will apply to any hearings involving remote participants.
9. The Protocol for Remote Viewing of Hearings governs media and public access to hearings.
Health and safety
10. All people who enter the Court must scan the QR code or complete the contact tracing register before entering the Court.
11. Persons present in the Court must observe all physical distancing requirements as specified by the Ministry of Justice. This may result in limits to the number of people permitted to enter the Court building.
12. Subject to limited exceptions,[3] and the discretion of the presiding judge:
a) Persons attending Court must wear a cloth mask, surgical mask or a KN95 (or equivalent) mask at all times within the court precinct. These will be provided
13. The following health and safety measures can be expected in the courthouse:
a. access will be denied to anyone who is showing signs of illness, or has a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, or has had close-contact with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19;
b. surgical masks will be provided at the entry to the courthouse for all those who do not have their own mask;
c. cleaning products are available on site to enable staff and lawyers to keep their immediate areas clean (including AVL suites); and
d. hand sanitiser will be readily available within the courtroom.
14. Any concerns about health and safety in the Court should be raised with the local Court Manager in the first instance.
15. In the event of community transmission within a courthouse catchment area, public health advice will be adopted and further directions given.
Expectations of Counsel
16. To the extent reasonable and practicable, counsel (and police prosecutors to the extent relevant) are expected to assist the Court by:
a. Advising the Court at an early stage if they become aware that alternative measures are likely to be required for their client’s attendance at trial because they do not meet the requirements set out in paragraph 2 above.
b. Briefing clients and witnesses on the entry requirements as set out in paragraphs 2 through 6 and health and safety measures in the courthouse as outlined in paragraphs 10 through 15.
c. 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 in appropriate cases;
ii. seeking excusals from appearances in administrative hearings; and
iii. limiting the number of witnesses through the use of agreed facts.
d. Counsel should consider and endeavour to agree whether it is appropriate for any witness to participate remotely and advise the Court of any such proposals well in advance of the hearing date. This should include consideration of any witness unable to attend Court by reason of the requirements set out in paragraph 2. The relevant provisions of the Evidence Act 2006 and the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 will govern whether and how any witness may give evidence remotely. Also refer to the Guidelines for Remote Participation by Witnesses in Criminal Hearings.
Filing and filing fees
17. Documents may be filed electronically, by post, courier or in person.
18. Public counters will be open for all normal counter business. Drop boxes for filing will also be available.
19. Any applicable filing fees remain payable. An online “file and pay” system is available.
Criminal Proceedings
20. All criminal proceedings, including jury trials, may be conducted at Green, Orange and Red settings.
21. To the extent practicable, schedulers are encouraged to increase the scheduling of appointment times to ensure those people who must appear in person do so at a time when there are reduced numbers of people in court.
22. Witnesses required to appear may be directed not to enter the courthouse until immediately prior to their scheduled attendance.
Increased Use of AVL
23. While the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 is in force, the health and safety impact of COVID-19 may be considered a “relevant matter” under s 5(d) of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010.
24. The increased use of AVL is encouraged and intended to assist the Court to reduce the number of people required to attend the courthouse in-person and thereby reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the courthouse and surrounding precincts.
25. Whether AVL is used for the appearance of a particular defendant will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the applicable law and an assessment of the interests of justice. This will be determined by the presiding judicial officer taking into account the age, cognitive ability, language ability, and any known intellectual disabilities or mental health issues and any other matter the judicial officer considers relevant.
26. Counsel and parties may apply to participate in a hearing by AVL. Particular consideration will be given to any health vulnerabilities of the participant, any relevant difficulties in travelling to court, the distance that would otherwise have to be travelled and the likely length and complexity of the hearing. To the extent that it is reasonably practicable, a notice of application to participate by AVL should be given at least 5 working days prior to the hearing.
27. If counsel, defendants, victims, parties and witnesses are unable to attend court, to the extent that it is reasonably practicable, they should advise the court at least 5 working days prior to the hearing and arrangements may be made for appearance by AVL.
Use of AVL in Criminal Proceedings at Red and Orange Settings
28. Although all cases will be considered by judicial officers on a case-by-case basis, the increased use of AVL at Red and Orange Settings may be generally appropriate in the following types of hearings:
a. first and second appearances;
b. sentencing indication hearings;
c. pre-sentence monitoring;
d. pre-trial hearings;
e. appeals;
f. trial callovers; and
g. unopposed bail applications.
29. AVL may be seen as less appropriate in the following types of hearing:
a. entry of plea;
b. CP(MIP) hearings; and
c. sentencing
Use of AVL in Criminal Proceedings at Green Settings
30. Although all cases will be determined by judicial officers on a case-by-case basis, the increased use of AVL at Green Settings may be generally appropriate in the following types of hearings:
a. sentencing indication hearings;
b. pre-trial hearings;
c. appeals;
d. trial callovers; and
e. unopposed bail applications.
31. AVL may be seen as less appropriate in the following types of hearing:
a. first and second appearances;
b. entry of plea;
c. pre-sentence monitoring;
d. CP(MIP) hearings; and
Youth Court Proceedings
32. This protocol outlines how the Youth Court will operate under the New Zealand COVID-19 Protection Framework and under each of the Red, Orange and Green settings. The protocol makes provision for differences in vaccination status of participants.
33. This protocol must be read in conjunction with the District Court Protocol and is subject to any restrictions and alternative processes in the District Court Protocol relating to entry into the courthouse.
34. Where a young person is not permitted to enter the courthouse by reason of vaccination status or being unable to provide evidence of a negative test or refusal to submit to a rapid antigen rest or has provided a positive rapid antigen rest, then the processes for enabling attendance in Court contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 will apply with such modifications as are necessary to fit with Youth Court processes.
35. Where any participant, other than the young person, is refused entry into the courthouse, their attendance may be facilitated, to the extent possible, by remote participation. Where it is anticipated that a person will be refused entry, it is expected that arrangements will be made for their remote participation in advance or than an application will be made to the Court for directions to be made to facilitate their attendance where necessary.
36. The Youth Court process notified on 3 April 2020 for the attendance of support persons for young persons will apply at Red and Orange settings, unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge.
37. The content of this protocol will be reviewed regularly and updated as appropriate.
Underlying principles
38. The operation of the Youth Court at Red, Orange and Green settings shall be guided by the following underlying principles:
a. Safety: The safety and wellbeing of young persons and their whānau, and all who participate in Youth Court proceedings, remains of paramount concern for the court and all professionals involved in the youth justice process. Youth Court professionals are expected to work collaboratively to uphold the primary objective of keeping all court participants safe.
b. Timeliness: Any need to delay proceedings to ensure the safety of court participants must be balanced against the need to uphold the principle that decisions should be made and implemented promptly and in a time frame appropriate to the age and development of the child or young person and all alternative means of progressing a case, consistent with safety, must be explored.
c. Remote participation: Remote participation is generally inappropriate for young people. The high prevalence of neuro diversity, cognitive impairment, disability, intellectual disability and mental illness in the youth court cohort makes remote participation generally inappropriate. The Youth Court has a statutory duty to enable participation by young people and this is difficult to achieve remotely.
Operating Protocol
General Work
39. So far as possible all scheduled Youth Court work will proceed in areas at Red, Orange and Green settings, with appropriate public health measures in place and in accordance with the District Court protocols.
40. At Red and Orange settings, the Youth Court is subject to the requirement to observe physical distancing so there will continue to be restrictions on the number of support people allowed in court.
41. Face coverings are mandatory for in-person appearances at Red and Orange settings and encouraged at Green setting. Special considerations in relation to masks may be required for some young people. Where, for example, face coverings would hinder a young person’s participation and communication, alternative options, including remote appearance via AVL, may be considered.
42. While the work of the Court will gradually transition to full capacity, in some instances there may still be a need to limit travel to courts for young persons and their whānau to keep them and others safe. This consideration also applies to Youth Advocates, Lay Advocates, Police, Oranga Tamariki, and other agencies such as Health and Education in providing services to the Court. Appearance by professionals via remote participation may be used where it is considered necessary and appropriate.
43. The Youth Court appointment system will operate at all settings, which will assist with the necessary physical distancing and ensuring that young persons and their whānau are provided privacy. The expectation is that where actual attendance is required, those who attend in-person are punctual and do not attend court earlier or remain at court any later than their appointment time.
44. Family Group Conferences directed by a Youth Court Judge will continue to be held either remotely and/or in person. The manner of participation will depend on the following factors:
a. safety of rangatahi, whānau, victims, support person(s) and other entitled persons to meet in person;
b. rangatahi, whānau and victim’s access and availability to participate remotely, meaning their ability to connect to WIFI or access to technical resources. Youth Justice Co-ordinators will make this decision whilst convening (after consulting with all entitled participants) with the support of their Family Group Conference Team Leader; and
c. any barriers to participation, including neurodiversity, affecting the young person.
45. For Lay Advocates specifically, home visits are not recommended under Orange and Red settings. Lay Advocates may attend court hearings in-person where necessary to support young people and their whānau. Lay Advocates may also appear remotely by AVL.
Arrests
46. Young persons who are arrested are to be brought before a Youth Court in person for consideration of bail. Where there are COVID related safety issues, or the conditions for entry into the court building cannot be satisfied, young persons who are arrested may appear by AVL from a police station or other location if this is directed by a Judge.
Oranga Tamariki or Corrections Custody
47. For those in custody in Youth Justice Residences, or in Corrections custody, appearances may be in-person where practical and consistent with COVID safety considerations. Appearance may by remote participation if this is considered to be in the best interests of the young person. It remains important to ensure that all appearances for those in custody are truly necessary.
Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 Proceedings
48. In relation to Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 proceedings, decisions will need to be made on a case-by-case basis as to how best to proceed, taking into account the underlying principles of this protocol.
Rangatahi and Pasifika Courts
49. Youth Court sittings on Marae and at Pasifika venues may resume when it is considered by all participants to be safe to do so. Where any safety requirements are not able to be met, the default position is to return to the Youth Court.
50. Where cases were being heard at Te Kōti Rangatahi or Pasifika Courts but are now being heard at courthouses, Youth Advocates and Lay Advocates are requested to advise the Court whether the young person and their whānau seek to have cultural processes such as karakia and pepeha incorporated into their hearing.
Cross-Over Courts
51. It must be recognised that cross-over hearings engage the processes of the Family Court and the Youth Court and compliance with the Family Court Protocol must be taken into account. The expectation is that there will be involvement of and consultation with the relevant Family Court professionals in the Youth Court process outlined in this protocol.
Family Court Proceedings
52. This protocol outlines how the Family Court will operate under the New Zealand COVID-19 Protection Framework and under each of the Red, Orange and Green settings.
53. This protocol must be read in conjunction with the District Court Protocol and is subject to any restrictions and alternative processes in the District Court Protocol relating to entry into the courthouse.
54. The Family Court will undertake priority work, such as box work and without notice applications, but also intends to undertake all previously scheduled work. However, that work must have regard to safety, with an increased emphasis on the use of remote participation to reduce in-person appearances to the extent practicable.
55. However, the Family Court’s ability to do so will be subject to several factors including registry staff capacity, the availability of technology for remote participation and the need to observe physical distancing for in-person appearances.
56. During the COVID-19 Traffic Light settings, local Judicial Resource Managers, the Family Court Liaison Judge (or in regional localities the resident judge/s), Regional Scheduling Advisors and the Registry will work collaboratively to determine the priority and extent of the work to be undertaken in each court in order to develop rosters and local schedules. The schedules will support the directions set out in the District Court Protocol.
57. Where a Family Court is unable to operate at full capacity, family work would generally be conducted in the following order of priority:
a. Applications for Compulsory Treatment Orders under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003; Protection Orders; Without Notice Interim Parenting Orders including enforcement; guardianship disputes (under the Care of Children Act 2004); Without Notice Custody Orders or Place of Safety warrants (Oranga Tamariki); Welfare Guardianship or Property Orders (under the Protection of Personal Property Rights Act 1988).
b. Any other application considered by a judge to warrant an urgent hearing or judicial conference.
c. Other urgent applications normally considered on the eDuty platform.
d. While dealing with court backlogs in priority order, the court will consider any memoranda or representations of counsel regarding realistically achievable timetabling directions and scheduling.
Triage
58. A triage process has been operating in a number of courts (particularly metropolitan courts) to identify and progress priority cases within the following categories:
a. matters adjourned during previous COVID-19 emergency settings;
b. matters dealt with on eDuty;
c. work identified as urgent from triaging box work files; and
d. matters already scheduled to be heard.
59. In cases where that process is incomplete, it will continue. The files will be provided to judges in accordance with local arrangements. There is no requirement for the registry to prepare memoranda or use the E-Box process other than for actual box work.
60. Cases identified as a priority will be scheduled for a 30-minute conference/callover.
Conferences / Callovers / List Courts
61. All counsel are entitled to appear in person. However, a judge may permit counsel to appear by telephone link or AVL provided that suitable facilities are available and a timely application has been made.
62. Parties may also appear in person, but the judge may excuse in-person attendance and direct that the conference/callover to proceed by way of remote participation including AVL or telephone. Judges must have regard to the interests of vulnerable parties and those for whom remote participation is not possible.
63. All conferences/callovers are to be conducted by a judge and recorded on the FTR transcription system.
64. All conferences/callovers lists will require further time to be scheduled with best practice requiring 30 minutes to be allocated rather than 15 minutes.
65. If there are in-person appearances, then:
a. physical distancing must be observed;
b. any person who does not have direct business with the court may not attend without prior approval of the presiding judge;
c. whānau support may only be given by a whānau member or members whose attendance has been permitted by the presiding judge; and
d. the introduction/continuation of split lists may be necessary.
66. Cases already scheduled in list courts will remain as scheduled. No changes will be made to the event duration.
Memoranda
67. No less than 5 working days before any conference/callover or fixture, counsel must file memoranda detailing the following:
a. whether they have current instructions;
b. whether the conference/fixture is still required; and
c. if not, what directions/orders are sought.
68. If a fixture is still required:
a. advise whether the case should be afforded priority and why;
b. identify the issues in dispute;
c. identify the directions sought including the number of witnesses and the mode of evidence; and
d. provide an accurate estimate of time.
eDuty
69. The eDuty platform will be regionally based to the extent practicable. However, if on any day there is no judge in the region rostered for e-Duty, then the e-Duty auditor will allocate cases to the judges who are rostered for e-Duty. This process is to be reviewed at regular intervals by the Principal Family Court Judge in consultation with the Ministry of Justice and this process will have particular regard to factors such as regions of New Zealand being under different Traffic Light settings.
Mental health
70. In person hearings may resume, where it is practicable and safe to do so. All factors including, but not exclusive to, the following will need to be considered:
a. whether any participant in the hearing is in a risk group vulnerable to COVID-19;
b. whether the venue for the hearing presents a risk to the spread of COVID-19; and
c. the individual rights of the patient.
71. The hearing options are: in person, AVL, telephone link or a combination of them. Decisions will need to be made on a case-by-case basis.
Lay Advocates
72. For Lay Advocates specifically, home visits are not recommended under Orange and Red settings. Lay Advocates may attend court hearings in-person where necessary to support young people and their whānau. Lay Advocates may also appear remotely by AVL.
Hearings
73. Subject to the following paragraphs, hearings involving viva voce evidence are expected to proceed in person.
74. Hearings that do not involve viva voce evidence, such as submission only hearings or Pickwick hearings, may be conducted, in appropriate cases, by way of written submissions with counsel appearing by AVL or telephone link. These hearings are to be recorded on the FTR transcription system.
75. All short cause and long cause hearings will be preceded by a call-over to be conducted in advance of the hearing date. The call-over will be conducted by telephone and will determine such matters as:
a. the order of hearings for the day;
b. the length of the hearing;
c. numbers of witnesses;
d. mode of evidence;
e. ability to observe physical distancing; and
f. the production of documents/exhibits.
76. All documents are to be filed in electronic form prior to the hearing. There are to be no hand-ups, unless a judge directs otherwise.
77. For long cause fixtures, a call-over must occur in sufficient time in advance of the hearing to enable fixtures to be allocated and to consider whether the hearing can proceed subject to the constraints of Red, Orange or Green setting.
78. It is anticipated that scheduled long cause fixtures with multiple parties and/or multiple witnesses may present challenges in terms of physical distancing and hygiene that make it impossible to safely proceed with these types of hearings. If counsel identify any such scheduled hearings, then they should file a memorandum immediately for consideration by a judge as to whether the fixture can safely proceed or not.
Civil Proceedings
79. All civil proceedings will be conducted at Red, Orange and Green settings.
80. Although all cases will be considered by a judge on a case-by-case basis, the increased use of AVL appearances or appearances via telephone at Red, Orange or Green settings should be encouraged for all civil proceedings unless a judge considers that an in person appearance is necessary.
81. Filing Fees may be paid by alternative means, including at the Registrar’s discretion, and via credit card, electronic banking or solicitor’s undertaking.
Accident Compensation Appeals (District Court Registry)
82. All Accident Compensation Appeal hearings will be conducted at Red, Orange and Green settings
83. Judges will work with the Registrar to assess and determine whether hearings may be conducted by AVL, in person, on the papers or other form of remote technology.
84. Accident Compensation Appeals jurisdiction in the District Court, managed by Tribunals, Wellington will receive new matters and existing matters will be reviewed regularly by email. All communications including queries on any matter and filing of all documents are to be by email to: AppealsACR@justice.govt.nz.
85. If a party does not have the ability to file documents electronically, they may be mailed to DX number: SX11159, Wellington Tribunals; or to: Wellington Tribunals, Level 1 - 86 Customhouse Quay, Wellington, 6011. No document will be received for filing in person at the Tribunals Office, Wellington or any other Tribunals Office.
[1] Nothing in this protocol will prevent the attendance at court of any person required to attend court, for example pursuant to a summons, legislative requirement or judicial direction, who does not meet the requirements in paragraph 2. Appropriate health and safety measures will be put in place.
[2] Subject to any judicial determination made pursuant to ss 8 or 9 of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010.
[3] The following exceptions may be made:
(i) People who have a mask exemption card issued by the Ministry of Health will not be required to wear a mask.
(ii) Some court attendees (for example jurors, defendants and witnesses) may be directed by the Judge to wear a clear mask, which will be provided by the Court.
(iii) Leave may be given to vaccinated attendees, or unvaccinated attendees who have provided a negative COVID-19 test result, to remove their mask when speaking.
(iv) Leave may be given to unvaccinated court attendees who have not provided a negative COVID-19 test result to replace their KN95 (or equivalent) mask with a clear mask when giving evidence.