NZ Lawyers are seeking clarification from the Chief Justice after the Prime Minister raised the Covid-19 alert level to 3 with level 4 to follow in 48 hours.
The country is going into lockdown for at least four weeks to control the spread of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Ardern announced this afternoon that schools, childcare centres and universities will be closed from Wednesday.
All non-essential businesses or services must also shut in the next 48 hours and Kiwis should stay at home unless visiting an essential service.
Ardern said the strict measures will save tens of thousands of lives.
The New Zealand Law Society has sent a message to Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann asking what this will mean for the country’s courts and justice system.
“We know you are all anxious following the Prime Minister’s announcement today,” the Law Society said in tweet.
“The NZBA (New Zealand Bar Association), CBA (Criminal Bar Association), and Law Society | Te k?hui Ture have sent a joint communication to the Chief Justice seeking clarity and a further response on court protocols. Updates to come.”
NZ Law Society@nzlawsocietyWe know you are all anxious following the Prime Minister’s announcement today. The NZBA, CBA, and Law Society | Te k?hui Ture have sent a joint communication to the Chief Justice seeking clarity and a further response on court protocols. Updates to come.
The Chief Justice had already ordered a halt to any new jury trials for at least two months due to Covid-19.
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