Christchurch Court and Justice services
Information and updates for the public about Ministry of Justice facilities and services in the Christchurch area.
UPDATED FRIDAY 11 MAY 2012
- Christchurch's main court building is open for a range of criminal hearings.
- Public enquiries from the Christchurch area and help with court matters, fines or any other justice-related service should be directed to the Ministry of Justice 24-hour freephone number: 0800 324 627.
- The Ministry is continuing to use a range of permanent and interim facilities across Christchurch city to deliver justice services. This includes the successful District Court operation at Ngā Hau e Whā marae.
- The Tower and Family Court Buildings are the only courts in the main complex that are currently operating services.
- Aoraki House/Māori Land Court on Peterborough Street is open for use as a multi-jurisdictional court
- District Court criminal list case – for non-custodial first appearances and defendants remanded on bail or at large – are held at Ngā Hau e Whā marae on Pages Road, Bromley
- District Court jury trials began at the main court building on Monday 13 February
- High Court civil and criminal hearings and list courts are currently being held in the courtrooms within the main court building as well as the newly opened Cambridge Terrace courthouse if required.
- High Court jury trials began at the main court building on Monday 30 April 2012.
- Public enquiries for the District Court Civil jurisdiction (Disputes Tribunal and Tenancy Tribunal) should be directed to Unit B, 100 Orchard Road, Russley, Christchurch. Hearings are held at the same location and Riccarton Racecourse.
- Victims Services: Court Victim Advisers are specialist staff employed by the Ministry of Justice. Located within courts, they provide victims with information about cases that relate to them, the services which are available, advise victims of their rights and assist victims to understand and participate in the court system.
- Christchurch Court Victim Advisors continue to provide a service to victims of crime and can be contacted via the Victim Information Line on 0800 650 654.
Key information on justice services in Christchurch is as follows:
District Court
- Criminal matters: People with nominal court dates will be contacted with a date when their case is set down for hearing.
- Bail variations: People on bail who have relocated away from Christchurch to other centres should approach the closest court to seek a variation to their bail conditions.
- Family Court applications: Applications should be made through your lawyer or by contacting 0800 324 627.
Youth Court
- Youth Court hearings are held in the main court building on Durham Street.
- Youth Drug Court sits at Odyssey House each fortnight
Civil matters
- General civil matters (excluding Tenancy): Applications should be made through your lawyer or by contacting
0800 324 627. - Tenancy matters: To commence an application refer to the Dept of Building and Housing Tenancy Services – contact: 0800 836 262.
- Disputes Tribunal: All outstanding Dispute Tribunals claims are being scheduled and heard at Unit B, 100 Orchard Road. All public enquiries for the District Court Civil jurisdiction can be made at Orchard Road.
High Court
- Registry staff are working in a temporary office in the main court building on Durham Street.
- Civil and criminal hearings and list courts are currently being held in the courtrooms within the main court building as well as the Cambridge Terrace courthouse.
- Documents for any Christchurch High Court matter can be filed by post to:
High Court
DX WX 10021
Christchurchby courier to:
High Court
4th floor, Law Courts Building
282 Durham Street
- General enquiries:
Tel: 03 962 4000
Email: christchurchhc@justice.govt.nz
Māori Land Court
- Public enquiries should be directed to Aoraki House/Maori Land Court at 76 Peterborough Street. Hours of operation are 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
- Staff are available to:
- provide applications forms, booklets and search electronic land records
- provide you with general land advisory assistance
- answer and discuss any Māori land inquiries
- provide you with access to Māorilandonline
- The Māori Land Court is conducting sittings on gazetted pānui dates and notice will be sent to you if you have an application due for a hearing.
- Normal contact arrangements have not changed:
Postal: PO Box 2200, Christchurch 8140 or DXWX1124, Christchurch
Tel: 03 962 4900
Email: mlctewaipounamu@justice.govt.nz
Employment Court
- The representatives of parties with scheduled hearings in Christchurch are being contacted by the Registry to make alternative arrangements. These will probably consist, in the first instance, of a telephone conference call with a Judge to discuss how and when hearings can be rescheduled.
- For all proceedings in which a hearing was not set down in Christchurch or for any new proceedings, contact the Acting Registrar in Wellington, Gemma Baigent (gemma.baigent@justice.govt.nz, telephone 04 495 8463).
Legal aid
- The Christchurch Legal Aid office premises in Oxford Terrace remain closed and staff are working from other offices in Christchurch.
- Christchurch Legal Aid has new telephone and fax numbers. Telephone 03 339 4730 and fax 03 339 4791.
Post legal aid forms and other correspondence to:
Christchurch Legal Aid, DX WX11123, Christchurch.
Environment Court
- Environment Court staff will liaise directly with any parties that may be affected by the current situation in Christchurch.
- Court is providing normal services via external venues.
All proceedings and documents can now be filed with the Christchurch Environment Court Registry:
P O Box 2069 or DX: WX11113
Christchurch
New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 3455363 - All case-related queries should be directed to the office by:
Tel: 03 3455363 or 03 3455397
Email: Christine.mckee@justice.govt.nz or monique.eade@justice.govt.nz
Coronial Services
- The Coronial Services office at 328 Durham Street is closed until further notice.
- Coroners Services are being managed from 30 Sheffield Crescent, Christchurch. Enquiries can be made by phone or fax as follows:
Tel: 03 353-0444
Fax: 03 353-0446 - For information relating to Coronial Services’ earthquake response: www.justice.govt.nz/courts/coroners-court/christchurch-earthquake.
