Progress update covers resources developed, courthouse visits conducted
The Ministry of Justice has provided an update on the progress thus far of the judicial forum established under a memorandum of understanding between New Zealand’s chief justice and justice secretary.
The judicial forum oversees the work program supporting ongoing efforts to improve health, safety, and security throughout courthouses. According to the justice ministry’s news release, the forum has so far worked to:
More than a year ago, the justice ministry, the judiciary, and representatives of the legal profession collaborated to create the judicial forum, which offers a structured mechanism for engaging on health, safety, and security matters, supported by an operational working group.
“Safe, secure court environments are essential to the effective and orderly administration of justice and support the wellbeing of judicial officers, court staff, lawyers, court participants, and visitors,” stated the justice ministry’s news release.
Per the justice ministry, the judicial forum’s work seeks to:
The justice ministry acknowledged that a national framework governs New Zealand’s courts.
However, given each courthouse’s distinct layout, risks, security arrangements, escape routes, and safe zones, the justice ministry stressed the importance of local and site-specific security inductions, which aim to improve situational awareness so that court users know how to respond and where to go if problems arise.
The justice ministry strongly urged legal professionals to complete a local security induction for each court they visit and participate regularly in induction refreshers.
In its news release, the justice ministry emphasised that the health, safety, and security of court environments depend on shared ownership.
The Health and Safety at Work Act requires lawyers to take reasonable care of their own safety and ensure that they do not endanger others through their own actions. Practically speaking, the justice ministry explained that lawyers should:
Moving forward, the justice ministry plans to focus on providing practical education, clarifying responsibilities, and implementing safety practices consistently across courts.
