LOCAL COURT OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NOTICE TO LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, POLICE, CORRECTIONS and COURT USERS REGARDING COURT SITTING HOURS AND ARRANGEMENTS – DARWIN, KATHERINE, TENNANT CREEK, ALICE SPRINGS – ALL COURTS INCLUDING TCG CENTRE
This notice applies to all Local Courts in Northern Territory, including the Darwin Local Court sitting at Nichols Place, the Darwin Children’s Court sitting at TCG, the Katherine Local Court, the Tennant Creek Local Court and the Alice Springs Local Court and Children’s Court.
Due to reduced capacity, from Monday 21 February normal Court sitting hours will be 9.30am to 4.00pm, until further notice. The midday lunch break remains between 1pm and 2 pm.
All courts are to finish by 4pm.
In Darwin, where possible, a second bail and arrest court will operate to expeditiously manage matters earlier in the day.
Positive COVID cases or symptoms
DEFENDANTS IN CUSTODY
All people in custody are excused from attending and will not be required to appear via video from a correctional facility, unless the matter is due to progress either by bail application, plea, sentence, preliminary examination argument/oral/papers or are self-represented. Legal Counsel should notify Court staff as soon as practicable when a Defendant will be required, so that notification can be provided to the correctional facility.
VIRTUAL APPEARANCES
Leave is granted to appear via Teams or telephone if this can be facilitated. If you require virtual appearance via Teams or telephone please complete the notification of virtual appearance to ensure the Court has the relevant information. If Teams can be facilitated a link will be sent as per the procedure outlined in the virtual appearance guide.
POSITIVE COVID CASES OR SYMPTOMS
- If a person is Covid positive or displaying symptoms, they should not attend at the courthouse location. This includes persons on bail and summons, including witnesses.
- If a person is under a Chief Health Officer direction to isolate, they should not attend.
- Please contact your lawyer or the Local Court registry to advise if you are unable to attend Court. You may be required to provide medical evidence of your condition or direction.
- If you are a witness and unable to attend please contact the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Witness Assistance Service on 1800 659 449.
Notice No. 9/2022 Date 15 February 2022
This notice may be updated from time to time.
This notice is to be read in conjunction with Notice #1/2022 and will continue until further notice.
Elizabeth Morris
Chief Judge