Anyone summoned for jury service at either the High or District Courts in Christchurch this week is not required to attend.

District Court

• Interim arrangements remain in place to hold District Court services essential to support law and order, and include arrest matters, remand appearances, and also apply to Youth Court arrests.

• Court business continues as usual in Timaru, Ashburton, and Rangiora.

High Court

• All non essential High Court matters set down for this week are adjourned.

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

Family Court

• Urgent applications are being dealt with by the Wellington and Dunedin Courts.

Environment Court

• Environment Court staff will liaise directly with any parties that may be affected by the current situation.

• Meditations on the Canterbury Water Plain case can proceed during the week of 14 March.

Disputes Tribunal

• Disputes Tribunal hearings scheduled in Rangiora for this week have been postponed.

Maori Land Court

• Clinics scheduled in Blenheim, Nelson and Kaikoura this week have been cancelled.

• Until further notice all other enquiries should be redirected to the Maori Land Court, National Office, Wellington.

Legal aid

• The Christchurch Legal Aid Office remains closed.

• The Legal Services Agency is working closely with the Canterbury-Westland branch of the New Zealand Law Society to ensure duty lawyers are available in the Christchurch area.

• Christchurch legal aid clients and lawyers can call the Christchurch office on 03 363 6500 for further information.

Further help

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

There is also additional information on the Ministry's website at www.justice.govt.nz.

ENDS