Consistent with SA Government guidelines relating to the management of public places during the COVID-19 health emergency, the Adelaide Magistrates Court (Civil) issues the following revised directives to parties and practitioners regarding appearances in Court from 10 August 2020.

Notwithstanding the move towards practitioners appearing again in person, the Court may permit practitioners to appear by phone after the first directions hearing, where it can be accommodated and there is compliance with arrangements made.

Court users should note that these arrangements are subject to change consistent with the public safety requirements of the management of COVID-19.

General Directives:

  • 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
    • returned from overseas, or any state the subject of a border closure with South Australia, in the last 14 days and/or
    • had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having 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 by 9.30am on the day before the hearing, provide a direct contact phone number and seek leave of the Court to appear 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.
    • Where possible, parties should lodge documents via CourtSA. (Portal – https://courtsa.courts.sa.gov.au)
    • All emailed documents should be signed and lodged in PDF format. Documents too large for email should be posted or lodged in a registry filing box located in a Magistrates Court building.
    • Where it is not possible to use CourtSA, documents should be filed in the approved form by email or post (see details below).
    • All documents including written submissions, must be submitted to the Court electronically no later than 1 clear working day before 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

Hearings and Trials in All Actions

  • ‘Hearings’ includes directions hearings, applications listed for argument, drivers licence appeals, Registrars ISUM and enforcement lists.
  • Subject to the General Directives (above), parties and/or practitioners 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 Directives or at the discretion of the Magistrate.

Settlement Conferences:

  • Settlement conferences are to be held between the parties by phone 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 and by 9.30 a.m. on the day before the hearing, parties are to upload on to the Portal, or email to the Registry, consent orders or, if a hearing is required, direct phone details they can be contacted on at the adjourned hearing.

Mediations:

  • Subject to the General Directives (above), mediations will occur in person where social distancing requirements can be met unless the parties are granted leave of the Court, or following consultation with the Mediation Unit are permitted, to appear via phone or video link.

For Mention Only Dates:

  • If a party wishes to be heard on a ‘for mention only’ date they are to advise the Registry by 9.30 a.m. on the day before the hearing and provide consent orders or, where there is no consent, they are to appear in person.
  • In the absence of this advice the action will be determined administratively and may be dismissed.

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

​Enquiries: Media and Communications Office
​Phone: ​8204 0403 or 0467795291
​Email: ​media@courts.sa.gov.au