Climbing Covid-19 cause Ipswich Courthouse disruptions

The Ipswich Courthouse is up against staff shortages, suspended services and the cancellation of jury trials as climbing Covid-19 cases continue to cause disruptions.

The Ipswich Courthouse is up against staff shortages, suspended services and the cancellation of jury trials as climbing Covid-19 cases continue to cause disruptions.

Since resuming normal operations following the holiday period, the Ipswich Court house has been juggling high numbers of matters with staff shortages and other Covid-19 related issues.

On Tuesday, about 110 people had their matters heard in the Magistrates Court, and about 90 people on Wednesday.

A number of defendants and representatives have requested matters be adjourned due to either testing positive for the virus or being in isolation.

On Thursday, a spokesperson said the court was facing staff shortages and would be handling enquiries in order of priority.s

The Ipswich court house’s in-demand Justice of the Peace program has also been suspended until further notice amid the rise in cases.

As of January 12, Ipswich has recorded a total of 5860 positive cases.

It comes following the announcement that all new trials in Queensland which require a jury would be postponed as a precautionary measure to help avoid the spread of cases.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, The Honourable Catherine Holmes AC, and the Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland, His Honour Judge Brian Devereaux SC announced the decision on January 11, shortly after Queensland courts resumed normal operations following the holidays.

Jury trials have been postponed until at least February 21, and the situation will be review on February 11.

Judge-only trials will continue to be heard and jury trials which were scheduled to begin soon will be reviewed.

Prospective jurors with a summons to attend court will be notified but any prospective juror with a query may also contact the number shown on their summons.

It comes after the Ipswich Watch house, located at the police station next to the court house, was shut down last week after two people in custody tested positive to Covid-19. 

Police said the watch house was closed for a “short period of time” to allow for offenders to be bailed or moved.

There was currently no operational impact on either the Ipswich Watch house as the district worked to support Covid-positive people in their care, a spokesman said last Thursday.

“The QPS has undergone extensive planning in preparation for a widespread Covid-19 outbreak affecting its workforce,” he said.

“We operate with a flexible and borderless policing model, meaning staff can be redeployed across regions to ensure adequate resources to respond to calls for service.

“This has been executed effectively throughout the pandemic and will continue as the organisation is impacted by more Covid-19 cases.”

All people entering Queensland courthouses must wear a mask at all times while in the building, other than while speaking in court.

All persons should also check in upon arrival, practice social distancing, and keep at least one seat between each person (except if from the same family/household).

Any practitioner or unrepresented party who is not fully vaccinated, or knows that a witness, client or any other person attending court with them is not vaccinated, should notify court the at least 24 hours before the proceedings.