Court Updates and Information webpages
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Courts Administration Authority Coronavirus COVID-19 Information
South Australian Employment Tribunal website
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal website
Arrangements for courts from Monday 23 November 2020
Posted 23 November 2020
Court buildings will reopen from Monday, 23 November 2020. Court users are reminded to follow the directions of SA Health in relation to the Parafield COVID-19 cluster. If any of these directions apply to you or if you are unwell, do not enter a court building.
Courts continue with COVID-19 hygiene and social distancing requirements.
The following arrangements are in place for courts as of Monday, 23 November 2020.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court will resume normal operations from Monday 23 November 2020. Counsel in matters that were adjourned on account of the stay-at-home direction who would like to have that matter brought on before the adjourned date should contact the chambers of the Judge or Master who adjourned the matter to arrange its re-listing.
Supreme Court Civil Enquiries:
p: (08) 8204 0289
supreme.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
District Court
For the week beginning 23 November 2020:
- Any matters that were adjourned by the court will proceed as advised on the new date.
- No new jury trials will be commenced.
District Court Civil Enquiries:
p: (08) 8204 0289
district.civil@courts.sa.gov.au
Criminal Enquiries
p: (08) 8204 2444
ccrcs@courts.sa.gov.au
Environment, Resources and Development Court
Any matters that were adjourned by the court will proceed as advised on the new date.
ERD Court Enquiries
p: (08) 804 0289
erdcourt@courts.sa.gov.au
Magistrates Court
The Magistrates Court will reopen on Monday 23 November 2020.
Criminal Jurisdiction
The following courts will be sitting on Monday 23 November 2020 and Tuesday 24 November 2020:
- Adelaide
- Christies Beach
- Elizabeth
- Port Adelaide
- Berri
- Port Augusta
The abovementioned courts will only hear a limited range of criminal matters, those being:
- Defendants that are remanded in custody whose scheduled next appearance falls on Monday and Tuesday.
- All overnight arrests.
- Urgent applications and urgent intervention order applications.
Normal listings will resume on 25 November 2020 at all court locations.
Circuits were and remain cancelled for the week commencing 23 November 2020.
Circuits will proceed for the week commencing 30 November 2020.
Civil Jurisdiction
All civil jurisdiction matters listed in Adelaide for the week commencing 23 November 2020 were adjourned to a date to be advised.
Urgent civil applications may be heard with approval by the Regional Manager Civil.
Contact details
P: (08) 8204 2444
e: enquiry@courts.sa.gov.au
Youth Court
Criminal Jurisdiction
- Lockdown arrangements will remain in place until Tuesday 24 November.
- Normal listing arrangements will resume on Tuesday 24 November.
- Matters that have been adjourned in response to the COVID-19 lockdown will retain the new listing date.
Care and Protection Jurisdiction
- All Re-unification matters listed for 25 November will proceed.
- All urgent removals will be heard within the 5 days from the date of removal.
- All first return matters listed will be heard on the day listed and time listed.
- Matters with orders due to expire on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November will be heard.
- Normal listing arrangements will resume on Wednesday 25 November.
Contact details for Criminal matters
P: (08) 82040330
E: youthcourt@courts.sa.gov.au
Care and Protection: careandprotectionyouthcourt@courts.sa.gov.au
Coroners Court
The Coroners Court will be open to the public.
Coroner's Office:
p: (08) 8204 0600
coroner@courts.sa.gov.au
For further information contact the CourtSA Registry Services on (08) 8204 2444 or refer to the CAA website: www.courts.sa.gov.au.
Arrangements for the South Australian Employment Tribunal from Monday 23 November 2020
Posted 23 November 2020
The Honourable President Justice Dolphin has advised the Attendances at SAET – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic responses – 19 November 2020 communique is rescinded.
As of Monday 23 November 2020, in accordance with South Australian Government advice and directions with regards to the recent Covid-19 cluster outbreak, the Tribunal is adopting the following practices.
Criteria for attending SAET in-person
Anyone attending SAET in-person must meet the Criteria for attending SAET in-person. The criteria is available at https://www.saet.sa.gov.au/about-saet-3/covid-19/
Matters before Commissioners
Until further notice, all scheduled hearings and conference, including those scheduled to be conducted in-person, will be conducted by teleconference.
Matters before Presidential Members
Unless advised by the Tribunal, hearings and conferences will be conducted as scheduled. All queries should be directed to the individual chambers.
Review
The SAET will continue to review its position in accordance with changing circumstances, updated Australian and State government protocols and the advice of health experts.
Magistrates Court of South Australia
Posted 20 November 2020
Between 19 November 2020 and 24 November 2020 inclusive (the period), the Magistrates Court Buildings will be closed. Urgent matters will be heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court and Elizabeth Magistrates Court by AVL or phone and are restricted to the following:
Criminal Jurisdiction
•
Defendants that are remanded in custody whose scheduled next appearance falls within the above dates
•
All overnight arrests
•
Urgent Applications and Urgent Intervention Order applications.
All other matters listed during the period will be re-listed in the next 4-6 weeks to a date and time to be advised.
Civil Jurisdiction
•
All civil jurisdiction matters listed during the period have been adjourned to a date to be advised. Urgent civil applications will only be heard if approved by the Regional Manager civil.
For more information, please see the listing updates published by the Courts Administration Authority:
•
Adelaide Magistrates Court
•
Elizabeth Magistrates Court
and the
CAA Coronavirus COVID-19 Information webpage, which is updated regularly.
Attendances at the South Australian Employment Tribunal
Posted 19 November 2020
The Honourable President Justice Dolphin has advised that as a result of the South Australian Government’s
Emergency Management (Stay at Home) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 during this COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period, the public and professional facing operations of the South Australian Employment Tribunal will be affected. As of today, 19 November 2020, SAET is adopting the following practices. They are also cognisant of the fact that working from home may adversely affect the ability of representatives to be properly and fully prepared for any particular case.
No in-person attendance at SAET
There will be no public access to the Riverside Building, other than for essential services. As such, SAET cannot be physically accessed. Contact to SAET will only be via email (
saet@sa.gov.au). For urgent dust disease matters or urgent industrial disputes requiring immediate action telephone Registry on (08) 8207 0999.
Matters before Commissioners
As previous, all scheduled hearings and conferences, including those scheduled to be conducted in-person, will continue to be by teleconference.
Matters before Presidential Members
In-person conferences and hearings cannot proceed with the current restrictions. Chambers will contact the parties in any particular listed case to make alternative arrangements. Whilst some conferences and hearings may be able to proceed via telephone or MS Teams, others may not. The parties are to consider what arrangements may work best in each case.
Review
The SAET will review its position at the end of the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period and in accordance with changing circumstances, updated South Australian Government advice and directives, and the advice of health experts.
COVID-19 Lockdown arrangements for courts
Posted on 18 November 2020
The Courts have issued a media release advising the following arrangements are in place for the period 19 November to 24 November 2020.
All court buildings will be closed to the public.
Supreme Court and District Court
All matters that are currently listed in the Supreme Court and District Court over the next six days will be adjourned. The court will only hear urgent matters during that period. At first instance, any application for an urgent hearing must be made to the appropriate Registry via the contact details set out below.
Civil matters can be lodged through the CourtSA portal.
Supreme Civil Enquiries:
p: (08) 8204 0289
supreme.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
District Court Civil Enquiries:
p: (08) 8204 0289
e: district.civil@courts.sa.gov.au
Criminal enquiries:
p: (08) 8204 2444
e: ccrcs@courts.sa.gov.au
Environment, Resources and Development Court
All matters that are currently listed in the Environment, Resources and Development Court over the next six days will be adjourned.
Magistrates Court
The Magistrates Court will only hear overnight custody matters, urgent bail matters and Police Intervention Orders over the next six days. The court buildings will be closed on those days and all other matters listed will be adjourned. Further details will be provided.
P: (08) 8204 2444
e: enquiry@courts.sa.gov.au
Youth Court
The Adelaide Youth Court will operate with a skeleton staff for the purpose of hearing urgent matters only. Urgent matters are restricted to the following:
Criminal Jurisdiction
- Matters remanding youths in custody and listed for hearing during the six day lockdown, will be further remanded to 25 November 2020;
- All overnight arrests will be heard by a Judicial Officer in the General list at 11.30am. All matters will be heard via AVL;
- All Intervention order matters will be heard;
- All other matters listed during the period of the lockdown will be re-listed in the next 4-5 weeks to a date and time to be advised.
Care and Protection Jurisdiction
- All Re-unification matters will be adjourned to a date and time to be advised;
- All urgent removals will be heard within the five days from the date of removal;
- All first return matters listed between 19/11/20 and 24/11/2020 will be heard on the day listed, the time of the hearings will be advised;
- Matters with orders due to expire during the lockdown period will be heard.
All hearings at the Youth Court for both jurisdictions will be heard via AVL, Webex or phone link.
Contact details for Criminal matters
p: (08) 82040330: (08) 82040330
e: : youthcourt@courts.sa.gov.au
Care and Protection: careandprotectionyouthcourt@courts.sa.gov.au
Coroners Court
The Coroners Court will be closed to the public.
Coroner's Office:
p: (08) 8204 0600
e: coroner@courts.sa.gov.au
For further information contact the CourtSA Registry Services on (08) 8204 2444 or refer to the CAA website: www.courts.sa.gov.au.
District Court Jury Trials
Posted 18 November 2020
The Chief Judge has advised that in light of current SA Health recommendations, the District Court sitting in Adelaide will not commence new jury trials for the remainder of this week. The position in relation to jury trials listed to commence next week will remain under review. An update in relation to those trials will be provided by Friday 20 November 2020.
All other hearings including civil trials and direction hearings, judge alone criminal trials, pre-trial arguments, bail applications, guilty pleas, arraignments and sentencing will not be affected.
If you have a matter in court and need further information, please contact CourtSA Registry Services on 8204 2444 or enquiry@courts.sa.gov.au.
CAA Update: Court appearances during current COVID-19 restrictions
Posted 17 November 2020
The Courts Administration Authority has written to the Society to provide the following updated guidelines and information for the profession in reference to all matters before the Supreme and District Court Masters as of Wednesday, 18 November 2020.
Given the current restrictions due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the Masters are aware that there may be some concern and confusion regarding court appearances during this time.
Directions hearings and arguments will continue to be conducted in court with appropriate physical distancing and hygiene precautions.
However, the Masters recognise that some practitioners will be working from home or reluctant to attend court in person.
If a practitioner has a condition that makes them vulnerable to infection or they are generally concerned and do not wish to or feel comfortable to come into Court they should advise Chambers at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and make arrangements for a remote attendance via either Webex or telephone link.
Whilst in court, parties are not to approach court staff at a distance closer than 1.5 metres and no documents will be handed up in court but must be sent electronically to Chambers prior to the hearing.
Supreme Court mediations will continue as listed, although the venue may change at short notice (while still remaining within the Court precinct). Please check with the Sheriff’s officers on your arrival at Court.
Settlement conferences are to be held between the parties at an alternate venue. A directions hearing will be convened (by email) shortly after the current date for the settlement conference, to allow the parties to advise the Court of the outcome and for consequential orders to be made. For conferences to be listed in the future, they will be listed on the basis that a time for an email directions hearing will be given, with the settlement conference to be held prior to that time.
Practitioners are not to come to the Court, if they have any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
- loss of sense of smell
- shortness of breath
- have visited sites listed on the SA Health website as being connected with the outbreak and/or
- have had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days.
These measures will be implemented from 18 November 2020 and will operate until further notice.
Jury Trials - Supreme Court and District Court
Posted 1 October 2020
Please find attached a General News Release from the Courts Administration Authority advising that following consultation with SA Health, multiple courtrooms will not be used for Supreme and District Court jury trials commencing after 6 October 2020.
New jury trials commencing from Tuesday 6 October 2020 will be conducted in a single courtroom using the existing dedicated jury facilities.
The Court will maintain cleaning and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the court.
COVID-19 Supreme Court practice changes revoked
Posted 2 September 2020
Please find attached a news release from the Chief Justice advising that on 31 August 2020, the Supreme Court Judges’ resolved to revoke the COVID-19 practice changes of 20 March 2020, subject to the following.
Public health measure adapted to the directions and recommendations of public health authority will be maintained. The UCR will be amended so that submissions, rather than outlines, will be required in all appeal matters before the Court. In the case of applications for permission to appeal in criminal matters, those submissions must be provided three business days before the day on which the application is listed.
District Court jury trial listing information
Posted 30 July 2020 and updated 1 October 2020
The Chief Judge has advised that District Court jury trials will be commencing in full from the first week in August. However, the number of listed jury trials able to be reached, will be limited by the impact of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations on the use of courtrooms. These restrictions will impact the in-court configuration for the jury, the empanelment of juries, the jury deliberation room as well as the induction of jury pools.
To maximise the use of these limited resources it is proposed that where appropriate, matters may be held in the list longer than current practice. For example, it may be that some trials that would have been not reached on a Tuesday or Wednesday may now be held for a commencement on a Thursday or Friday or perhaps even to commence in the following week.
Counsel/parties and potential witnesses should be aware that they may need to be available into the following week in case their matter runs over.
In accordance with the current practice, the Registry and court listings will be the first point of contact for counsel/parties as to whether their matters will be reached on the day they are listed or whether they will be held in the list. Where appropriate a matter may be listed for a directions hearing before a Judge to determine whether it should continue to be held in the list.
All Matters Before Adelaide Magistrates Court - Civil from 10 August 2020
Posted 29 July 2020
Please find attached a media release from the Chief Magistrate. It advises revised directives to parties and practitioners regarding appearances in Court from 10 August 2020 consistent with SA Government guidelines relating to the management of public places during the COVID-19 health emergency.
Environment, Resources and Development Court
Posted 26 June 2020
The Senior Judge of the Environment, Resources and Development Court has advised by general news release of 22 June 2020 that forthwith, all listing practices in the ERD Court, will return to normal including conferences. All matters will be heard in Court, unless other arrangements are made by or with chambers approval prior to the hearing or conference.
Requests for administrative adjournments and other requests must be received at least two business days prior to any hearing or conference.
All matters before the Adelaide Magistrates Court - from 22 June 2020
Posted 22 June 2020
In response to the COVID-19 emergency the Chief Magistrates has advised the following updated arrangements will be implemented as of today.
General - in Court:
Parties and practitioners are not to come to the Court, if they have:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
- shortness of breath
- travelled from the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria or overseas in the last 14 days and/or
- had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days
If a party or practitioner has a condition that makes them vulnerable to infection and for that reason does not feel safe attending at the Court, they should advise Registry at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and provide a direct contact phone number for the purpose of appearing at the hearing by phone.
At the Court, parties and practitioners are not to approach Court staff and must always maintain a distance from others that is greater than 1.5 metres.
No documents are to be handed up in Court. Documents of less than 10 pages may be lodged electronically on the CourtSA website (Portal, see details below) the day prior to the hearing.
Parties and practitioners are reminded of the requirement that all parties must be copied in to any email communication with the Court.
Communication with the Court is required to be via the CourtSA website (Portal) https://courtsa.courts.sa.gov.au or amcregistry@courts.sa.gov.au
These measures will be in operation until further notice. They may be revised as new public health announcements are made.
All matters before Adelaide Magistrates Court - Civil - from 15 June 2020
Posted 12 June 2020
Please find attached an announcement from the Chief Magistrate advising updated COVID-19 arrangements which will be implemented as of 15 June 2020 with respect to all civil matters before the Court. These measures will operate until further notice.
Matters before Supreme Court Masters to return to normal from 9 June 2020
Posted 27 May 2020
The Masters of the Supreme Court have today advised that, from Tuesday 9 June 2020, all listing practices, including mediations, will return to normal. All matters will be heard in court, unless other arrangements are made with chambers prior to the hearing.
For matters up to and including 5 June 2020, the current protocols will continue to apply, except where they have been modified in consultation with chambers.
All inquiries should be directed to Ms Giles at chambers.dart@courts.sa.gov.au or Mrs Palmer, at chambers.bochner@courts.sa.gov.au.
All matters before District Court Masters from 1 June 2020
Posted 26 May 2020
The District Court Masters have today advised that, from Monday 1 June 2020, all listing practices, including settlement conferences, will return to normal. All matters will be heard in court, unless other arrangements are made with chambers prior to the hearing.
Parties and practitioners are expected to observe social distancing requirements.
Parties are not to physically approach court staff in the court.
Requests for administrative adjournments must be received at least 2 business days prior to the directions hearing.
For matters up to and including 29 May 2020, the current protocols will continue to apply, except where they have been modified in consultation with chambers.
Practitioners are reminded that if they are in self-isolation, quarantine, are in any way unwell, or have been in contact with someone who has returned from overseas or interstate within the last 14 days, they are NOT to enter the Sir Samuel Way Building.
If a practitioner has a condition that makes them vulnerable to infection or they are generally concerned and do not wish to come into Court they should advise Chambers at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and make alternative satisfactory arrangements.
All enquiries should be directed to dcmastersjso@courts.sa.gov.au.
Jury trials to recommence soon
Posted 18 May 2020
The District Court advised on 18 May 2020 that it will bring forward the recommencement of jury trials, for a small number of matters, to the second week in May. The Court is intending to have one matter run in each of the second, third and fourth weeks of July, as a controlled step up, to the previously announced staged resumption of jury trials from 1 August 2020.
The Court will communicate with the parties of those jury trials identified to commence in July; any queries in relation to the listing of matters should be directed at first instance to the Criminal Registry.
All other matters are to proceed in accordance with the Court’s previous announcement of 8 May 2020; namely, the Mount Gambier Circuit in July will proceed as a normal circuit with jury trials. Country circuits thereafter will also proceed as normal circuits with jury trials. The Court will be seeking advice from SA Health with regards to re-introducing jury trials, and will ensure any social distancing or other health guidelines are followed. This may require two courtrooms to be set aside for each jury trial, which would impact the listing of trials. Read the full statement from the Courts Administration Authority
SAET - Witnessing of affidavits
Posted 30 April 2020
Please find attached a Practice Direction of 28 April 2020 regarding the witnessing of affidavits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It clarifies the Tribunal's expectations in relation to the acceptance of unsworn affidavits and in doing so advises the Tribunal will adopt the Practice Note of the Supreme Court and District Court of 16 April 2020.
SACAT Update
Posted 29 April 2020
SACAT has issued Practice Directions to acknowledge that hearings may take place without the public in attendance and to ensure that documents are provided electronically. You can read the new practice directions here.
Following enactment of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, SACAT has new responsibilities in the housing and guardianship areas. You can find further information on the changes to housing here and guardianship here.
At present SACAT is:
- Operating with the public reception desks closed to face-to-face service
- Providing reception services via telephone and email
- Requiring documents to be provided electronically
- Suspending the requirement for physical attendance at hearings
- Conducting the majority of hearings by telephone or video.
- In a some cases, only in accordance with public health information and if social distancing is available, determining that it will be preferable for there to be physical attendance at SACAT.
- Deferring matters only if that is the most suitable approach at this time
- Conducting all non-essential meetings, presentations and training by video conference, telephone conference, email correspondence or deferring, as appropriate.
If you have documents to submit, please email the documents to sacat@sacat.sa.gov and include the case reference number.
For assistance to lodge an online application please call 1800 723 767 and SACAT staff will assist over the telephone.
Delay in the commencement of the Uniform Court Civil Rules and CourtSA Civil
Posted 23 April 2020
The Courts Administration Authority advised on 22 April 2020 that the commencement of the Uniform Court Civil Rules and the CourtSA Civil electronic management system has been delayed until 18 May 2020.
The Rules and CourtSA Civil have been delayed due to problems experienced by the CAA’s specialist IT workforce due to COVID 19 restrictions. The CAA’s media release is available here.
The Society understands there will be a transitional period post 18 May 2020 during which documents can be emailed to the CAA. Details will be advised, once published by the CAA.
The CourtSA portal contains a range of videos and information, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Applications to the Probate Registry
Posted 20 April 2020
The Courts Administration Authority has advised that the recent Practice Note with regards to the Witnessing of Affidavits during COVID-19 does not apply to the Probate Registry. The notice reads: Applications to the Probate Registry are not included in the Practice Note released by the Supreme Court and District Court on 16 April 2020 titled Witnessing of Affidavits during COVID-19.
Magistrates Court of South Australia - Administrative Adjournments
Posted 9 April 2020
Please find
attached a letter of 8 April 2020 from the Chief Magistrate. It advises the scope for defence requests seeking an administrative adjournment has been widened to enable the Registry to action requests without the requirement to seek Magistrate approval for each matter.
Magistrates Court new COVID-19 Listing Arrangements and hearing procedures from 6 April 2020
Posted 6 April 2020
The Society has been working with the Magistrates Court with respect to measures to deal with COVID-19.New procedures and arrangements have been put in place as of 6 April 2020 across the various Magistrates Courts.
District Court civil and criminal matters
Posted 30 March 2020
Please find attached an announcement (27 March 2020) of the District Court of South Australia which details a number of arrangements implemented by the Court. It advises the suspension of new jury trials will be extended so that no new jury trial will commence in the District Court of South Australia prior to 1 July 2020.
South Australian Employment Tribunal
Posted 26 March 2020
Please find attached an announcement of 25 March 2020 from the Hon Justice President Steven Dolphin, President of the SAET. It advises procedures for urgent hearings to take the plaintiff’s evidence in Dust Disease cases.
Supreme Court - practice changes
Posted 24 March 2020
Please find attached a memorandum from the Chief Justice. The memorandum records the resolution of the Judges and Masters of the Supreme Court made at a special meeting held on Friday, 20 March 2020, to modify the practice and procedure of the Court to address the risk to public health caused by the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
The proceduresin relation to matters before Supreme Court Masters were reviewed on 27 May 2020 and will take effect from 9 June 2020.
South Australian Employment Tribunal
Posted 18 March 2020
Please find attached a media release of 18 March 2020 from the Honourable President Justice Dolphin advising a number of measures which were implemented as of Thursday 19 March 2020.
Some practices of the SAET have been revised as of Monday 15 June 2020.