MASTERS’ CHAMBERS,
SUPREME COURT
ADELAIDE

ALL MATTERS BEFORE SUPREME COURT MASTERS FROM 17 MARCH 2020
To allow the Court to implement the Government’s recommendations in relation to COVID 19, the following steps will be implemented immediately:

  • All directions hearings will be done via email:
    • all adjournments will be by email.  A Record of Outcome will be sent to all parties.
    • if substantive orders are required, parties are to send in consent orders.  A Record of Outcome will be sent to all parties.
    • if parties cannot agree on consent orders, each party must set out their position with a brief explanation.  The Master dealing with the matter will make a decision which will be emailed to all parties with a Record of Outcome.
    • emails for directions hearings are to be received by chambers by the time and date of the directions hearing – eg if the directions hearing is currently listed for 10.10 on 17 March 2020, all emails setting out the position of the parties are to be received by that time.
  • Possession matters will be dealt with in the same way as directions hearings.  The only exception to this will be matters where the order for possession is sought.  These will be dealt with in court in the usual way.
  • All matters under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) will be dealt with in the same way as directions hearings.  The only exception to this will be winding up applications.
  • All arguments will be dealt with on the papers.  For arguments where there are currently orders in place, please advise chambers if further orders are required dealing with, for example, the staggered filing of submissions.  Final submissions must be received by chambers by the time and date on which the argument is currently listed.
  • Settlement conferences will be held between the parties by telephone, or some other method agreed between them, without court involvement.  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 by that time.
  • All mediations will be postponed unless all parties consent to their taking place as usual.
  • The only matters that will be dealt with in the court room will be possession applications where an order for possession is sought, winding up applications, and urgent matters where there has not been time for the parties to agree a position.

These measures will be implemented from 17 March 2020 and will operate until Thursday 9 April 2020 (Easter).  They will be revised as new public health announcements are made.  The position for the four-week period commencing Tuesday 14 April 2020 will be communicated by 27 March 2020 and will be updated monthly thereafter, in the absence of other measures imposed by the government.   For matters before Justices of the Supreme Court, parties should follow the instructions given by individual chambers.

Judge Graham Dart                                                                                 Judge Katrina Bochner
SUPREME COURT MASTER                                                                SUPREME COURT MASTER
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