Christchurch courts complete move to new home
All Christchurch-based courts and tribunals are now operating from the Justice & Emergency Services Precinct.
“Over Canterbury Anniversary weekend we completed the move of the city’s courts to our new location on Lichfield Street,” the Ministry’s Chief Operating Officer Carl Crafar says.
“Since the 22 February 2011 earthquake, our people have worked out of 22 temporary locations across the city. Now, almost seven years on, to have all our Christchurch-based teams working together under one roof is a significant milestone for our operations in the city as well as the wider rebuild.
Carl says this final move of more than 200 staff and judicial officers sees them join their colleagues who have been working in the Precinct since mid-October. In the past month, the Ministry has held some tribunal and court hearings at the Precinct – including High Court (Civil), Coroners Court and the Environment Court.
“The Precinct is now the only location in Christchurch to access justice services, including the Public Defence Service. To mark this move, ceremonial final sittings of the High, District and Family Courts have taken place in the old Durham St North courthouse and the historic Magistrates’ Court building.
“I want to thank and acknowledge the patience of all our people and leaders, the judiciary and our sector partners during this period. Their resilience and ability to adapt to what have sometimes been very trying circumstances has been a testament to their commitment to justice. Without their support and cooperation, we would not have been able to do this,” Carl says.
The Justice & Emergency Services Precinct brings together regional justice and emergency services in one facility. While it will not be fully operational until early 2018, Corrections, St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand will start moving into the Precinct in the coming weeks. Police are intending to begin their move to the facility in the New Year. The Canterbury Regional Emergency Management Office already has some staff working from the Precinct.
The Ministry's services at the Precinct can be accessed from the Justice Building at 20 Lichfield Street or through the entrances on Tuam Street.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30AM - 5PM.
For contact details and other information about Christchurch courts and tribunals, use our location finder.
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