THE MAGISTRATES COURT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAGISTRATES COURTS FROM 29 JUNE 2021
Consistent with SA Government guidelines relating to the management of public places during the COVID-19 health emergency, the Magistrates Court issues the following revised directives to parties and practitioners regarding appearances in Court from 29 June 2021.
These measures will be in operation until further notice. They may be revised as new public health announcements are made.
ATTENDANCE AT COURT BUILDINGS
Parties and practitioners are not to come to the Court, if they have:
- a confirmed case of COVID-19, or
- been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or
- been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting the results, or
- arrived from overseas or from a cruise ship within the past 14 days, or
- arrived within the past 14 days from a State or Territorywhose border is closed or restricted by the South Australian Government, or
- a fever or chills (with no alternative illness that explains these symptoms), cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath or loss of taste and smell.
Obligations to appear in court may be excused in certain circumstances. If you do not intend to appear because you honestly and reasonably believe you should self-isolate, you should do the following to support any application you may later wish to make to be excused from your obligation:
Criminal Jurisdiction
- Contact CourtSA by email [email protected] or phone 8204 2444 to advise the Court.
- If you are represented, tell your lawyer.
- Contact SA Police or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by telephone.
- Obtain a certificate from your doctor.
- If you are already at the court building, seek assistance from Sheriff’s Officers to complete a Proof of Attendance Contact Details form.
Parties and practitioners are encouraged to wear a mask whilst moving around court buildings and whilst seated in public waiting areas and public galleries.
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 the 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.
Parties should allow extra time to be processed through point of entry security when entering court buildings due to social distancing measures.
Parties and practitioners are not to approach Court staff and must always maintain a minimum distance from others of 1.5 metres.
No documents are to be handed up in Court.
Parties are required to bring their own water as water jugs will not be provided in courtrooms and water fountains are unavailable.
Hand sanitiser will be provided at the following locations in every courtroom:
- Bench
- Judicial Support Table
- Bar Table
- Witness Box
- Sheriff’s Officer table