NOTICE #1 TO STAKEHOLDERS, PRACTITIONERS AND PUBLIC COVID-19 LOCKDOWN AND LOCKOUT – KATHERINE & DARWIN
Katherine Lockdown
The Katherine Court will be closed to the public from 05/11/2021 until 08/11/2021 at this stage.
In Chambers Orders:
In chambers orders will be made for all matters currently listed for those days. Matters listed for plea, mention, directions hearing, preliminary examination mentions etc. will be adjourned for 14 days.
Bail Conditions:
In all matters where in chambers orders are made, bail will be continued on the same terms and conditions with any reporting conditions to be suspended until further order.
Persons in Custody:
Those in custody will be adjourned and remanded with their matter adjourned for 7 days. Counsel do not have to appear in these matters as the orders will be made in chambers. However, should defence counsel wish to have the matter heard before the 7 days, an email request to relist the matter must be sent to:
In adult and youth matters: Katherine.LocalCourt [at] nt.gov.au
Both adult and youths are to appear from the prison or if in Katherine, a watch house. No defendants should be brought to the Court House.
Hearing Matters:
These matters will be adjourned to a directions hearing list within 14 days to be allocated a new hearing date.
ADULT – Fresh Custody Matters:
- A Judge will be presiding over Katherine matters in person of via AVL to deal with first mention custody matters. Police seeking bail reviews during work hours should continue to contact Chambers at first instance as per normal practice.
- All counsel, prosecutors and defence have leave to appear via AVL or telephone.
YOUTH – Fresh Custody Matters:
- A Judge will manage the Youth Court for any fresh custody or relist custody requests.
- All counsel, prosecutors and defence have leave to appear via AVL or telephone.
Care and Protection:
Where lockdown includes a care and protection list, the list will be adjourned in chambers for 7 days with current orders continuing. A Judge at the Darwin Children Court’s will be available by telephone or AVL to hear any first applications and any applications for variation of current orders. For care and protection matters please contact in the first instance: any urgent care and protection applications and any applications for variation of current orders for Katherine. For all care and protection matters please contact in the first instance:
In care and protection matters: Katherine.LocalCourt [at] nt.gov.au and Darwin.ChildrensCourt [at] nt.gov.au
Urgent Domestic Violence Orders:
Urgent domestic violence orders will be dealt with by the sitting Judge. Applicants and defendants may appear via telephone, counsel by AVL or telephone. For all domestic violence matters please contact:
In domestic violence matters: Katherine.LocalCourt [at] nt.gov.au
Court Staffing Arrangements:
There will only be skeleton staff at the Court House. Further details will be provided by Matt Fawkner, the Katherine Registrar, as to how to provide your contact details for any AVL.
Court House Notices:
A notice will be placed on the Court House doors advising anyone who arrives of the above arrangements. The contact numbers for legal aid services will be included in the notice to assist any persons.
Darwin Lockout
The Darwin Local Court and the Children’s Court is open to the public.
All people attending the Court will be required to use the QR Code. Entry will not be refused to someone who is not vaccinated as the Court is an essential service.
Key Contacts
Please note that the Registrars of the various locations will update stakeholders with daily information in relation to staffing and contacts. If there are any issues or with to raise a practical matter with the lockdown procedure please see the below:
A notice will be placed on the Court House doors advising anyone who attends Court of the above arrangements, we will also include contact details for the legal aid services.
Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris: DLC.Chambers [at] nt.gov.au
Principal Registrar & Director (North): Danielle.Hutchison [at] nt.gov.au
Registrar Katherine: Katherine.LocalCourt [at] nt.gov.au
Elizabeth Morris
Chief Judge
Northern Territory Local Court
Nichols Place
Cnr Cavenagh and Bennett Street Darwin NT 0800