● Court buildings in Christchurch remain closed.

● Interim arrangements are in place to hold District Court
services essential to support law and order. These include arrest
courts, remand appearances, urgent Family Court applications and
bail matters.

● All non essential High Court matters set down for this week and
next week will be adjourned.

● Arrangements are being made for dealing with essential High
Court matters. These include Bail applications, bail appeals, Habeas
Corpus, urgent judicial reviews, applications for urgent relief, and
criminal appeals.

● Until further notice applications for any High Court matters may
be lodged in the Wellington registry of the High Court by post or email.

● A local Ministry response team is operating from Christchurch
Men’s Prison to provide overarching management and coordination.

● Court fixtures scheduled in Timaru, Ashburton, Rangiora and
Kaikoura will not go ahead this week.

● All High and District Court Judges have been accounted for and
are safe.

● Anyone summoned for jury service in Christchurch this week is
not required to attend.

● There is a 24-hour freephone number for anyone with questions or
concerns relating to court matters, fines or any other Justice service -
0800 324 627.

● Further media updates will be issued as new information comes to
hand.

ENDS