The Chief Justice initially suspended all new jury trials from Monday 23 March for two months as a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Dame Helen Winkelmann has now extended this timeframe for a further two months, until 31 July 2020.

Ongoing jury trials will continue as scheduled.

The suspension will be reviewed regularly and may be revised based on any new advice received.

Information for lawyers

Information on all courts about remaining sittings and any special arrangements that may be necessary will be updated on our web site accordingly.

Special sittings and admission ceremonies may be affected. If you intended to attend any of these, please contact the court that the sitting or ceremony was to be held in to confirm what arrangements are being made.

The Chief Justice addressed a letter to lawyers on 13 March 2020 about planning for possible effects of a COVID-19 outbreak on court operations.

Information for jurors and other court users

The Ministry of Justice says it is working quickly to contact all affected court participants, including jurors. It says jurors who have been summonsed for trials from Monday 23 March must not come to court.

All courts remain open.

Any changes to court schedules for Senior Courts will be notified in the Courts Daily Lists.

Anyone attending court is advised to follow the advice of the Ministry of Health and;

• do not come to court if you are unwell,
• do not come to court if you have been instructed to self-isolate,
• let court staff know if you become unwell in court,
• practice coughing and sneezing etiquette,
• wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap.