Vaccination Requirements to enter Family Court buildings and/or to attend any hearings.
Public Health Act directions are now in force which restrict the entry of persons into the court precincts.
As from 12.0 1 AM on Saturday, 5 February 2022, a person who is a court and tribunal worker must not enter or remain at a court or tribunal site unless that person has been partially vaccinated against COVID 19.
As from 12.0 1 AM on Saturday, 5 March 2022, a person who is a court and tribunal worker must not enter or remain at a court or tribunal site unless that person has been fully vaccinated against COVID 19.
As your legal representative, all lawyers from this office as well as any support staff member are included in the definition of a court and tribunal worker. The definition also extends to Barristers as well as Judges, Magistrates, Registrars and other members of the court.
How does this affect you?
Sue Thomson is fully vaccinated including her booster shot, so she will be able to continue to represent you.
However, the selection of a Barrister to represent you at a hearing may be limited, depending on the vaccination status of the Barristers. We will need to review the vaccination status of a Barrister of choice, before briefing them in your matter. However, a Barrister may be partially vaccinated as required by the 5 February 2022, but then fail to be fully vaccinated by 5 March 2022 without an exemption. Other than monitor and ask the Barrister about his or her vaccination status, this could potentially lead to last-minute problems with your representation at trial. We will adopt new procedures upon the engaging of a barrister, to make that engagement subject to their compliance with these new Public Health Act directions.
This new rule can affect you. Any person, which includes you, and any witnesses or support people you are bringing to court with you, who enters or remains at a court or tribunal site, must produce evidence of their vaccination status for inspection, recording and retention if required to do so by the person appointed to conduct vaccination status checks.
If you are not vaccinated or do not produce your proof of vaccination, then the court may require you to attend proceedings remotely, comply with precautionary measures or alternatively conduct the proceedings in a closed court. There are adverse consequences to being unable to attend court in person particularly during a final trial. Please tell us about your vaccination status and you will be required to bring proof of same, and or any exemption, to the court with you on each occasion you are required to attend a hearing.
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