Legal practitioners are reminded to observe social distancing and the requirement to wear masks in all courts, particularly the Magistrates Court, where the flow and number of people is higher.
In the Magistrates Courts in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay Regional and Redland Council areas from 6 p.m. 11 January to 1 a.m. 21 January 2021 the following measures must be adhered to:
- All entrants to those courthouses will be required to wear masks at all times until at the bar table in the courtroom. Subject to any contrary order of a Magistrate masks may be removed when seated or speaking at the bar table. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in refusal of entry/removal from the courthouse. A mask will be supplied if needed;
- Staff serving at counters will wear masks and when in public areas; and
- Subject to the availability of prisoners, and directions by local Magistrates all matters will continue as per normal. Corrections will advise further on any changes for prisoners in Custodial Centres in the SEQ area.
The impacted courthouses include: BMC / Arrest Courts, Beenleigh, Cleveland, Holland Park Ipswich, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, Richlands, Sandgate, Wynnum and Caboolture.
The contact details for the relevant courthouses can be found here: https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/contacts/courthouses
Other parts of Queensland
Everywhere except for the greater Brisbane area courts noted above will continue to operate as usual but may also be subject to disruption in prisoner availability if a prisoner is in one of the affected SEQ centres or required to transfer there to appear.
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