Ministry of Justice

UPDATE 31 August: Courts and tribunals are operating differently at the moment. Please do not come to the courthouse if you are feeling unwell. Contact 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787) if you cannot enter the courthouse or are not sure whether to attend.

Protocols for how courts and tribunals will operate during COVID-19 Alert Level 2 have been released on the Courts of NZ website.

Find contact details for a court or tribunal

Auckland region only

All jury trials in the Auckland region are suspended until Friday 4 September 2020. The Chief Justice has stated the decision whether to recommence Auckland-region jury trials from Monday 7 September 2020 will be made on Thursday 3 September 2020. Jurors will be notified about their attendance.

Read the Chief Justice's media statement 27 August re jury trial suspension

For any other hearings, please attend on your scheduled date unless a Judge or Registrar has advised otherwise.

Entry into courthouses is limited to defendants, parties, witnesses, complainants, victims, and other stakeholders. Members of the public (including whānau/support person for a defendant) whose presence is not required at court may only attend if granted permission from the presiding Judge.

Public counters are generally open.

Rest of New Zealand

Please attend on your scheduled date unless a Judge or Registrar has advised otherwise.

Entry into courthouses is limited to defendants, parties, witnesses, complainants, victims, and other stakeholders. Members of the public (including whānau/support person for a defendant) whose presence is not required at court may only attend if granted permission from the presiding Judge.

Public counters are generally open.

Factsheet: Health and Safety measures during COVID-19 Alert Level 2

Use of face masks in court buildings

Face masks should be worn while in public areas of Auckland court buildings effective from 31 August until further notice. This applies to all court participants and staff to maintain health and safety standards. It is an additional precaution for everyone in the court building. Disposable masks are freely available from security at court entrances.

For the rest of New Zealand, face mask use is encouraged in court buildings.

Judicial protocols have been updated to reflect this on the Courts of New Zealand website.

Read the Chief Justice's media statement 28 August 2020 regarding masks in court