In response to the COVID-19 emergency the following updated arrangements will be implemented as of 15 June 2020.
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 interstate 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 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 via email to amcregistry@courts.sa.gov.au
Directions Hearings for Parties in General Jurisdiction Actions
- Directions hearings will be conducted administratively either by email or phone using the contact details provided at the bottom of this letter:
- all adjournments must be by email or CourtSA portal lodgement (see website address below). A notification of a re-scheduled date and if orders are made, a Record of Outcome, will be available for viewing on the Portal;
- if substantive orders are required, parties are to lodge draft consent orders on the Portal, following which a Record of Outcome will be available for viewing on the Portal;
- emails relating to directions hearings are to be received at the Registry by 4:30pm the day before the hearing.
- If practitioners or parties cannot agree on consent orders, they will be granted leave to appear by phone. Practitioners or parties are to provide direct phone contact details (not a general reception number) before the hearing and remain contactable at that number for one hour from the scheduled time. If the practitioner or party cannot be contacted it will be considered that the practitioner or party has not appeared and orders may be made in their absence.
Hearings in Minor Civil Actions
- All parties in minor civil actions are to appear in person at Court unless they are granted leave to appear via phone due to one of the reasons listed under General – in Court.
- If parties are granted leave to appear via phone they are to provide direct phone contact details before the hearing and remain contactable at that number for one hour from the scheduled hearing time. If the party cannot be contacted it will be considered that the party has not appeared and orders may be made in their absence.
- This is subject to the General – in Court directions (above) not to attend in the listed circumstances.
Applications listed for Argument – General Jurisdiction
- Parties may opt to appear by phone on applications listed for argument. Direct phone contact details are to be provided to the Registry (contact details below) by 4.30pm the day prior to the hearing.
- Any arguments that proceed in Court require that parties observe 1.5 metres social distancing.
Settlement Conferences
- Settlement conferences are to be held between the parties by phone and/or at an alternative venue (not the Court precinct) prior to the date listed by the Court for the conference return date. Following the conference, parties are to upload consent orders onto the Portal or email them to the Registry, or advise what direct phone number they can be contacted on at the hearing.
Trials
Trials will proceed as normal except:
- Parties will observe 1.5 metres social distancing.
- Where the documents the party intends to rely on is less than 20 pages in total, the documents must be either lodged on the CourtSA Portal or emailed to the Court (Registry email below) the day prior to the hearing.
- Where the documents the party intends to rely on is greater than 20 pages in total, the party will lodge with the Registry, at least one working day prior to the hearing, 3 hard copies of those documents.
- This is subject to the General – in Court directions (above) not to attend in the listed circumstances.
Mediations
- Mediations will occur in person where social distancing requirements can be met and unless they are granted leave of the Court, or following consultation with the Mediation Unit, are permitted to appear via phone or video link.
- This is subject to the General – in Court directions (above) not to attend in the listed circumstances.
For Mention Only Dates
- If a party wishes to be heard on a ‘for mention only’ date they are to advise the Registry by 4.30 pm the day prior to the hearing and provide consent orders or, where there is no consent, they are to appear in person (if a Minor Civil action) or by phone (if a General Jurisdiction action). If appearing by phone, the Court must be advised, and direct phone contact details must be provided, before 4.30 pm the day prior to the hearing.
- In the absence of this advice the action will be determined administratively and may be dismissed.
Drivers Licence Appeals under section 81BB of the Motor Vehicles Act 1959
- Any written material to be relied upon in support of an appeal is to be emailed to the Court, lodged on the CourtSA portal, or hard copies delivered, no less than 24 hours before the appeal hearing.
- The appellant is required to attend the hearing in person.
- In the event the appellant is unable to attend Court for reasons related to COVID-19 (see under General – in Court above), he or she must phone the Court as soon as practicable for directions as to alternative arrangements.
- Failure to appear or otherwise notify the Court may result in the appeal being dismissed.
Registrar’s ISUM/Enforcement List
- Personal appearances are required (unless a telephone hearing has been granted), with social distancing protocols to be observed.
- This is subject to the General – in Court directions (above) not to attend in the listed circumstances.
These measures will be in operation until further notice. They may be revised as new public health announcements are made.
CourtSA website (Portal) https://courtsa.courts.sa.gov.au
Adelaide Magistrates Court Civil Registry Contact Details:
Phone: (08) 8204 2444
Email: amcregistry@courts.sa.gov.au
Postal Address: PO Box 6115, Halifax Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Judge Mary-Louise Hribal
Chief Magistrate
Enquiries: Media and Communications Office
Phone: 8204 0403 or 0467795291
Email: media@courts.sa.gov.au
