Reopening will improve court capacity and capability, says Justice Ministry
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Dunedin lawyers are set to return to the city’s historic Victorian Gothic building more than six years after it was shut down for being a “high risk” even during a moderate earthquake, the New Zealand Law Society announced on Friday.
The reopening will substantially improve court capacity and capability, as well as the environment for the Judiciary and Ministry employees; court users; visitors and others associated with court appearances and processes, the Justice Ministry said.
The building was closed in December 2011. All cases and hearings have been held in temporary facilities on High Street and John Wickliffe House since then. In 2015, the government signed off on a $15m earthquake strengthening and restoration project that aimed to fortify the structure to between 60% and 70% of the National Building Standard.
“The strengthening and refurbishment of Dunedin's historic courthouse is continuing at pace and is both on time and on budget. Work on the foundations for the tower has now been completed, while work on ceilings, the exterior façade, underfloor concrete slab and stain glass windows is continuing,” said Fraser Gibbs, the ministry’s general manager, commercial and property.
Construction is due for completion by the end of 2017, while court services are scheduled to resume by early 2018.
“The profession is extremely excited about returning to the old courthouse. The renovations sound superb,” said John Farrow, president of the law society’s Otago branch.
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The reopening will substantially improve court capacity and capability, as well as the environment for the Judiciary and Ministry employees; court users; visitors and others associated with court appearances and processes, the Justice Ministry said.
The building was closed in December 2011. All cases and hearings have been held in temporary facilities on High Street and John Wickliffe House since then. In 2015, the government signed off on a $15m earthquake strengthening and restoration project that aimed to fortify the structure to between 60% and 70% of the National Building Standard.
“The strengthening and refurbishment of Dunedin's historic courthouse is continuing at pace and is both on time and on budget. Work on the foundations for the tower has now been completed, while work on ceilings, the exterior façade, underfloor concrete slab and stain glass windows is continuing,” said Fraser Gibbs, the ministry’s general manager, commercial and property.
Construction is due for completion by the end of 2017, while court services are scheduled to resume by early 2018.
“The profession is extremely excited about returning to the old courthouse. The renovations sound superb,” said John Farrow, president of the law society’s Otago branch.
Related stories:
‘High-tech’ Christchurch justice precinct likely delayed again
Wellington High Court to reopen after quake damage repairs
