The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia have both shut their Sydney courtrooms after they were contacted by a Sydney-based family law practitioner who had recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The courts were notified that the unnamed practitioner had appeared in the Sydney registry, known as the Lionel Bowen Building, on March 10 and March 12. The practitioner notified the courts directly.
The courts will be closed “as an abundance of caution” for an initial 24 hours, the courts said in a statement.
“This will allow for thorough cleaning to take place and for contact to be made with any member of the community, judges and staff who may have been present in the relevant courtrooms on the 10 and 12 March.”
Earlier, the courts said judges and registrars are being encouraged to hear matters using telephone or videoconferencing where appropriate.
They are also developing contingency plans to ensure that cases can be prioritized, should the current situation escalate.
On Monday, courts in Victoria said they were considering holding hearings via video in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Courts in Australian State of Victoria Consider Video Hearings
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