If you’re part of a civil case that’s being heard in an Australian court you and your lawyer can ask the Australian court if you can appear before it remotely from New Zealand.
A remote appearance can be by an audio link or audiovisual link. This includes telephone conferences and video link.
You will automatically be allowed to appear remotely if:
Find out more about the Australian court process for a stay of proceedings(external link)
In other civil cases you or your lawyer can ask for permission to appear remotely. The court will only give permission if it is satisfied that:
A New Zealand lawyer is entitled to appear remotely before the Australian court when applying for an Australian court case to be stayed on the basis that it is more appropriate for the case to be decided by a New Zealand court.
In all other cases, a New Zealand lawyer can ask the Australian court for permission to appear before it remotely even if they are not registered to practise law in Australia.
The Australian court may give permission for a New Zealand lawyer to appear before it remotely if it is satisfied that:
A New Zealand lawyer appearing remotely in Australian proceedings under this regime will be granted the same protections and immunities as a lawyer appearing before the New Zealand High Court.
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