The Court is adjusting its operations in response to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. The Court will retain some precautions in line with health advice.
The Notice to Profession sets out the broad parameters for in-person and remote hearings and continues to apply.
COVIDSAFE MEASURES
If your role requires you to attend Court and you:
- Feel unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild; or
- Have tested positive for COVID-19; or
- Have been exposed to a positive case (i.e., 15 minutes face to face contact or a household member tests positive);
do not attend at Court without first seeking permission.
Please contact the Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Response Manager on 03 8600 2362 or PBIVQ@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@DIVOC who will speak with the relevant chambers.
If you are not required to attend Court and you:
- Feel unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild; or
- Have tested positive for COVID-19; or
- Have been exposed to a positive case (i.e., 15 minutes face to face contact or a household member tests positive);
do not attend at Court.
Options may be available to view proceedings remotely. Hearings available for public viewing via live stream can be accessed here and inquiries about remote access to other hearings can be directed to the chambers of the presiding judicial officer.
Rapid antigen testing as a general measure for in person hearings will cease from 17 October 2022 but may still be used in certain circumstances. Permission to attend for someone who is symptomatic or has been exposed to COVID-19 is dependent on necessity and a confirmation of a negative test result. Additional precautionary testing may be required for some proceedings. When required, arrangements will be communicated to the parties in advance by Registry or Chambers and tests will be made available for this purpose. Parties will be asked to identify those who will be attending an in-person hearing to enable those arrangements to be made.
Mask wearing is strongly recommended for those attending Court, particularly where physical distancing is not possible or if the individual is immunocompromised or at high-risk.
The Court will continue to ask that masks be worn in certain circumstances involving larger groups (e.g. jury empanelments and admission ceremonies), unless unable to wear a mask for health reasons. Where these arrangements apply, it will be communicated to the relevant participants in advance.
Masks will continue to be made available to Court users.
Physical distancing is strongly recommended where possible. Conventional courtroom and jury room arrangements for all hearings and jury trials are now in place.
Up to date vaccination is also strongly recommended.
MEDIA ACCESS
Please contact the media team for any queries in relation to media access.
REGISTRY ACCESS
Please contact the Registry Services team or the Probate Office to discuss alternatives to in-person attendance or to make an appointment. The Registry Services team and Probate Office can be contacted on 03 8600 2000.