Courthouse issues attendance rules

By BOURA GORUKILA
SUPREME and National Courts Registrar Ian Augerea yesterday issued “new normal” protocols and a public notice to be followed by the judiciary, lawyers, parties to existing court cases and the public for guidance and compliance with legal requirements of the state of emergency (SOE).
Augerea said as the government’s activities into maintaining the SOE during the coronavirus pandemic, new water taps were installed at the court entrance and personal protection equipment such as gloves, masks and hand sanitisers were being provided at the courthouse checkpoint.
“As part of our efforts to keep the courthouse safe, we have issued instructions to everybody around the country,” he said.
“I have issued two protocols and a public notice to all court locations to guide the use of the court facilities during this time as we are under the threat of the virus.”
Augerea said hand-washing sinks would help court users to maintain hygiene.
“We have also instructed courthouses around the country to do the same,” he said.
“The foot path has been marked one metre apart for the public to maintain social distancing.
“We also have at our gate security officers with face masks, hand sanitisers and thermometer guard, thus, we try to maintain the directions given by the Government.”
He said the Supreme and National Court registries would not receive court documents for filing or doing file searches on existing cases over the counter. “This practice has been in place during the SOE and lockdown period and we will continue in that manner,” he said. “All documents for filing on all existing cases will be sent to the registry by email and we will process filling and return to you by email sealed copies.” Augerea said they had also placed teleconferencing equipment in court rooms 8 and 9 and the conference room.