Alert Level 4 - Remote participation operating in District Court
The Ministry of Justice has been working with the Judiciary to look at ways to minimise physical presence in Courts.
In a press release made by the Chief District Court Judge on 1 April 2020, Judge Taumaunu announced that while the country is at alert level 4, all District Court proceedings will move towards remote participation through virtual courtrooms.
The MOJ has advised that remote participation will be phased into the District Court. This means in some courts, critical hearings will be heard through Virtual Meeting Rooms (VMRs). In these cases, some or all participants (including the Judge and the Registrar) will attend the hearing by videoconference (VC) or teleconference (phone). The decision on whether participants may be required at a courthouse rests with the presiding Judge.
Not every court will move to remote participation straight away. Registry staff will advise if you are required to participate remotely. Otherwise, existing arrangements remain in place.
Read about remote participation, including why it is necessary, how it will work and how participants can file documents with the courts.
