g COVID- 19: INFORMATION FOR ATTENDING COURT Latest news as at Fri 26 Mar 2021 205th ed ATTENDING COURT SUPPORTING MEMBERS & CLIENTS Courts and Tribunals have measures in place to conduct proceedings without the need for attending The Bar Association continues to actively monitor COVID-19 where possible, to respond to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. The Association is in constant contact developments and impacts on the Courts. Protecting the with the Courts and Tribunals. Click on the links below to jump to the latest information received about: health, safety and interests of members, while continuing to promote the administration of justice and serve the public • The Supreme Court of New South Wales good, is our priority at this difficult time. • The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales • The District Court of New South Wales We are consistently updating our website and this point-in- • The Local Court of New South Wales time resource as information comes to hand. However, • The Children’s Court of NSW please always double-check the latest Court resources • NSW Coroners Court directly as developments are changing quickly at this time • NCAT and do not make any assumptions regarding your case • NSW Industrial Relations Commission without first doing so. • Workers Compensation Commission • High Court of Australia • Federal Court of Australia Key contacts • Family Court of Australia & Federal Circuit Court of Australia • Administrative Appeals Tribunal For the latest health information, please visit: • Fair Work Commission • Copyright Tribunal of Australia • Australian Government, Department of Health – • Alternative Dispute Resolution COVID-19 Resources: • COVID-19 legislation, orders, directions & regulations https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/n ovel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources In accordance with NSW Health advice, DO NOT ATTEND A COURT/TRIBUNAL unless you: • are a party to a court or tribunal matter and no other arrangements are in place to conduct • NSW Department of Health: proceedings remotely; https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx • require face to face services of the registry and no other arrangements are in place to enable this remotely; or Wellbeing • are a representative of a news-media organisation with a legitimate reason for attending. Be mindful of your resilience and wellbeing during this Despite the above, DO NOT ATTEND A COURT/TRIBUNAL if: challenging time. If you're concerned about yourself or a • you have had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected or confirmed as having colleague, visit barcare.org coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days; • you are feeling unwell and experiencing any of the following symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath; or • you have travelled and returned from overseas in the past 14 days. Registrars or Sheriff’s officers may deny entry or request any person to leave a building. COVID-19: Information for attending Court – last updated Friday 26 March 2021 PM 2 | 345 P ages SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES For further info & practitioners guidelines, visit http://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/coronavirus_covid19_announcement.aspx ON 12 FEBRUARY THE SUPREME COURT ISSUED THE FOLLOWING UPDATE: COVID-19 update, 12 February 2021 Fitted face coverings (masks) In view of the further easing of some mandatory requirements to wear masks, the Court has adopted the following policy: You are not required to wear a mask when attending Court or the public registry. The Court continues to recommend the use of masks. The Court has no objection to a person wearing a mask in Court, if they wish to do so, subject to any order or direction from the presiding judge. Physical distancing - courtrooms Signs on the entry to each Supreme Court courtroom note the number of people permitted in each courtroom. This complies with the prevailing public health order concerning gatherings and movement and allows for 1.5m spacing between individuals within the courtroom. Physical distancing – capacity – other spaces Other spaces within the Court buildings, such as meeting rooms and waiting areas, will be assessed and the signs updated to reflect the prevailing public health order concerning gatherings and movement and the need to maintain 1.5m spacing between individuals. Physical distancing – lifts The lift capacity for the public lifts at the Law Courts building, Queens Square, will increase from two people to four. Lifts at other locations will be re-assessed and signs within the lift will be updated, where necessary, to clearly indicate the lift capacity. QR codes The Court has placed a QR code on each floor. The codes are prominently displayed as a person exits the public lift and other locations on each floor. The public and legal practitioners are required to ‘check-in’. Contactless check-in codes are also available at Hospital Road, King Street and Darlinghurst. ON 5 FEBRUARY THE COURT OF APPEAL ISSUED THE FOLLOWING UPDATE: https://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/coronavirus_covid19_announcement.aspx COVID-19: Information for attending Court – last updated Friday 26 March 2021 PM 3 | 345 P ages 05 February 2021 The Court previously announced changes to its processes due to the public health responses arising out of COVID-19. Those measures included the suspension of the requirement to provide hard copies of authorities to Level 12 authorities' box as well as the making of appointments for the delivery of appeal books to the Registry. With the re-opening of the Registry to the general public, those changes no longer need to remain in place. There is no longer a need to make an appointment to lodge appeal books. Appeal books can be lodged with the Registry at any time during its usual business hours. Similarly, the delivery by parties of hard copies of the authorities mentioned at [32] of the Practice Note to Level 12 for upcoming hearings will also resume. Parties and the Profession should continue to provide electronic copies of the appeal books and White Folders for upcoming hearings. Jerry Riznyczok Registrar, Court of Appeal ON 29 JANUARY THE SUPREME COURT RELEASED THE FOLLOWING UPDATE: COVID-19 UPDATE, 29 JANUARY 2021 Fitted face coverings (masks) In view of the easing of some mandatory requirements to wear masks, the Court has adopted the following policy: 1) You are not required to wear a mask where you are participating in proceedings before the Court or a party to proceedings, this includes legal practitioners and self-represented litigants, witness, jurors and accused persons in criminal trials. However, there is no objection to you wearing a mask in Court if you so wish, subject to any order or direction from the presiding judge. 2) You are not required to wear a mask when attending the Court public registry. However, there is no objection to you wearing a mask, should you wish to do so. 3) You are required to wear a mask (except if one of the Public Health exemptions apply) if you are attending Court but have no direct interest, as outlined above, in the matter you are observing. Physical distancing COVID-19: Information for attending Court – last updated Friday 26 March 2021 PM 4 | 345 P ages Signs on the entry to each Supreme Court courtroom note the number of people permitted in each courtroom. This complies with the one person per 4m2 principle and the 1.5m spacing requirement. QR codes The Court has placed a QR code on each floor. The codes are prominently displayed as a person exits the public lift and other locations on each floor. The public and legal practitioners are required to ‘check-in’. Contactless check-in codes are also available at Hospital Road, King Street and Darlinghurst. ON 4 JANUARY 2021 THE SUPREME COURT PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING UPDATE: https://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/coronavirus_covid19_announcement.aspx COVID-19 UPDATE: Fitted face covering (mask) requirements and QR check-in codes 04 January 2021 Fitted face coverings (masks) Masks should be worn in all public corridors and waiting areas within that part of the court building solely occupied by the Supreme Court. Everyone in a courtroom must wear a mask, unless: a) The person concerned is an active participant in the proceedings namely the presiding judge, a practitioner who is responsible for presenting the case in court or a witness giving evidence. b) one of the exemptions stated in the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 applies; or c) at the discretion of the presiding judge. Jurors and Jury trials Jurors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided. Supreme Court trials operating from the Downing Centre The Chief Judge of the District Court has issued an update concerning procedures that apply for the District Court and Dust Diseases Tribunal. Judges sitting in the Downing Centre should ensure compliance with the District Court protocol. Court staff All court staff are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Masks should be worn when entering a public area of the court. COVID-19: Information for attending Court – last updated Friday 26 March 2021 PM 5 | 345 P ages Physical distancing Signs on the entry to each Supreme Court courtroom notes the number of people permitted in each courtroom. This complies with the one person per 4m2 principle and the 1.5m spacing requirement. QR codes The Court has placed a QR code on each floor. The codes are prominently displayed as a person exits the public lift and other locations on each floor. The public and legal practitioners are required to ‘check-in’. Contactless check-in codes are also available at Hospital Road, King Street and Darlinghurst. ON 9 NOVEMBER THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES ADVISED THAT: All Court of Criminal Appeal matters are now being conducted as live hearings in either the Banco Court or Court 13A.