Parties and practitioners have been asked to attend oral hearings in person unless the current health directives preclude them from doing so or the court has granted leave for them to appear in the hearing by telephone or video link. 

The court has requested that, to avoid the possible spread of the disease, practitioners should minimise the need for physical attendance by minimising the number of people attending court for any given matter, resolving issues to the greatest extent possible so as to avoid more time in court and observe all social distancing requirements. 

The Supreme and District Courts said it will still be investigating the use of audiovisual links and updates will be provided if necessary.

“Within courtrooms, safe distances should be maintained, and practitioners should not be present in court other than when their matters are dealt with,” the courts said. 

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Voting is now open for The Lawyers Weekly Award, to be presented to one individual for making substantial, consequential achievements in advancing the Australian legal profession since 2000. Finalists for this prestigious award have been confirmed as those listed below. To vote for your preferred winner, click here. 

Julian Burnside AO QC (barrister)

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Bernard Collaery (barrister, former Attorney-General of the ACT)

Kate Eastman SC (barrister and co-founder, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights)

The Honourable Robert French AC (former chief justice, High Court of Australia)

Sue Kench (global chief executive, King & Wood Mallesons)

The Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC (chief justice, High Court of Australia)

The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG (former justice, High Court of Australia)

Jane Needham SC (barrister and former president, NSW Bar Association)

Geoffrey Robertson AO QC (barrister)

Professor Gillian Triggs (assistant secretary-general, United Nations and former president, Australian Human Rights Commission)