ALL MATTERS BEFORE DISTRICT COURT MASTERS FROM 18 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 non-contentious 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.
    • emails for directions hearings are to be received by chambers by COB the day before.
  • if parties cannot agree on consent orders, parties will attend before the Master but will keep the 1.5 metre social distance between each other and court staff. A court room other than the Practice Court is being investigated for this purpose. Practitioners involved in an action with only two parties may also contact the court to arrange for such a contentious interlocutory hearing to be undertaken by telephone but not less than 24 hours before the hearing is scheduled to take place
  • 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.
  • All arguments will proceed as normal but with parties observing the 1.5 metre social distancing.
  • 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
    • shortness of breath
    • have returned/travelled to Australia in the last 14 days and/or
    • have had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days
  • 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 alternative satisfactory arrangements.

These measures will be implemented from 18 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 2 April 2020 and will be updated monthly thereafter, in the absence of other measures imposed by the government. For matters before Judges of the District Court, parties should follow the instructions given by individual chambers or the Chief Judge.

Master Mark Blumberg                             Master Elizabeth Olsson                         Auxiliary Master Mark Rice
DISTRICT COURT MASTER                   DISTRICT COURT MASTER                 DISTRICT COURT MASTER

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