Latest updates

This page was last updated on 25 May at 5.33 pm 

Latest updates on our website relating to the Ministry's response to COVID-19 are listed below:

25 May 2020

• The page about advice on the consistency of Bills with the Bill of Rights Act was updated with new guidance relating to the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill and the Forests Amendment Bill

22 May 2020

• The Chief District Court Judge has issued a practice note setting out the process for appeals to a public health order issued under section 11 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020.
• Updated Guidance for commercial leases and mortgages in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• Updated Commercial property guidance for lawyers in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• Advice on how to make a claim in the Disputes Tribunal(external link) was updated in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions were updated with information about Protection Orders.
• The Māori Land Court site was updated with guidance for trusts, incorporations and land owners affected by COVID-19.(external link)
• Guidance relating to the payment of fines during COVID-19 was updated.

19 May 2020

• Information for families and whānau has been updated in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2
• Participating in a virtual meeting room court hearing has been updated
• Court entry screening to change from Monday 18th May

18 May 2020

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions were updated
• Read the COVID-19 Alert Level 2 tribunal protocols on the individual tribunal pages

17 May 2020

• Courts and tribunals continue to conduct as much of its usual business as it is safely able to in COVID-19 Alert Level 2. 
• Read the court protocols during COVID-19 Alert Level 2 on the Courts of New Zealand website.(external link) 
• Updated information for all court users in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• Updated Guidance for Residential Property Settlements in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• Updated Guidance for Lawyers about Property Settlements in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

15 May 2020

• Report 3 of the COVID-19 Justice Sector Survey was released
• Our guidance for managing shared parenting during COVID-19 was updated in response to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
• The Accident Compensation Appeals District Court Registry updated their COVID-19 Alert Level 2 guidance

14 May 2020

• As directed by the Chief Justice, courts and tribunals remain operating at COVID-19 Alert Level 3 protocols(external link) and will transition to Alert Level 2 protocols on Monday 18 May.
• A factsheet about health and safety measures that will be in place in the courts for Alert Level 2 has been published
• FAQs for Youth Court Professionals on COVID-19 Alert Level 2 published on the Youth Court page 
• Updated Guidance for Managing Shared Custody in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 2

12 May 2020

• Ministry of Justice's Crime and Victims Survey Team results of Alert Level 4 lockdown survey has been published

8 May 2020

• A factsheet about health and safety measures that are in place in the courts for Alert Level 3 has been published

7 May 2020

• Reports from the COVID-19 Justice Sector Survey have been published

6 May 2020

• Information about alcohol licensing has been updated

5 May 2020

• Access to court locations updated with the latest status of all courts, including how to file documents at each location 
• FAQs for Youth Court Professionals on COVID-19 Alert Level 3 published on the Youth Court page

29 April 2020

• Criminal Record Checks was updated with information about how the service is operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
  
• Coronial Services(external link) was updated with information about how the service is operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Information for the legal profession was updated with guidance for COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Information for all court users was updated with guidance for COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Information about oaths, affirmations and declarations was updated with guidance for COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Family court guidance was updated with information about COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority was updated with information about how the service is operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions were updated
• Our Courts landing page was updated with information about how the courts are operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• The Family section of the website was updated with guidance about COVID-19 Alert Level 3.

28 April 2020

• Updated Court Closures page with information about which courts are operating at COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated About Civil Debt pages in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Information for people needing to complete oaths in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Land Valuation Tribunal in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Guidance for Residential Property Settlements in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Guidance for Lawyers about Property Settlements in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3
• Updated Guidance for Managing Shared Custody in light of COVID-19 Alert Level 3

27 April 2020

• Updated Frequently Asked Questions in relation to parenting orders and shared custody in Alert Level 3

Information about how various tribunals will operate in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 was published:

• Disputes Tribunal
• Tenancy Tribunal
• Motor Vehicle Dealer Disputes Tribunal
• Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority
• Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority
• Licensing Authority of Secondhand Dealers & Pawnbrokers
• Human Rights Review Tribunal
• Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal
• The Accident Compensation Appeals District Court Registry
• Victims' Special Claims Tribunal
• Copyright Tribunal
• Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme
• Customs Appeal Authority
• Immigration Advisors Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal
• Immigration and Protection Tribunal
• Land Valuation Tribunal
• Legal Aid Tribunal
• The Review Authority
• Social Security Appeal Authority
• Student Allowance Appeal Authority
• Taxation Review Authority
• Trans-Tasman Occupations Tribunal
• Weathertight Homes Tribunal

24 April 2020

• Information for all court users updated to outline how courts will work at Alert Level 3. 
• Changes were made to the signing and witnessing of Enduring Powers of Attorney in light of COVID-19.

23 April 2020

• Added new Media Guide.
• Uploaded COVID-19 Level 3 emergency directions advisory from Private Security & Personnel Licensing Authority.

22 April 2020

• FAQs about COVID-19 were updated.
• Latest updates about COVID-19 were updated.

21 April 2020

• A dedicated COVID-19 section was launched on our website.

20 April 2020

• FAQs about COVID-19 were updated.

17 April 2020

• Changes were made to the requirements for signing and witnessing wills, as well as taking oaths, affirmations and declarations, in light of COVID-19. 
• Requirements for alcohol licensing also changed. 
• More information was provided about family court guidance.
• Information about admission to the bar was added.
• New guidance for the media in court was added.

15 April 2020

• Rules around commercial leases and mortgages were updated in light of COVID-19. 
• Added new property advice to COVID-19 information page.

14 April 2020

• Updated guidance for managing shared custody of children during COVID-19.

 9 April 2020

• Updated information regarding Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal process during COVID-19.

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This page was last updated: 26th May 2020