This page was last updated on 5 April 2022.
Is Banco Chambers open?
Banco Chambers is open to the public from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Is there a requirement to be vaccinated to attend Chambers?
Banco Chambers is required to provide a safe workplace for its barristers and staff. Accordingly, Banco Chambers has adopted a policy whereby, in addition to our own Barristers and staff, any other person attending Banco Chambers for any extended period (for example, for a conference) is required to be fully vaccinated (subject to limited exceptions). If you have any enquiries about this matter please contact the Clerk.
Are your barristers still working?
Yes. Our barristers are still working and accepting new briefs.
How do I get in touch with one of the barristers? How do I brief them?
Our barristers can be contacted in the usual way, and all briefing enquiries can be directed to our Clerk, Jeh Coutinho. Banco Chambers has corporate subscriptions with Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We are able to organise and facilitate conferences and court hearings on either platform, and our barristers are also adept at meeting with you over other platforms such as Cisco Webex, Skype, and Blue Jeans.
All of our barristers are able to accept briefs electronically. If you need assistance in setting up a conference or making arrangements to brief a barrister electronically, please do not hesitate to ask.
What is happening at the courts?
Courts are operating as follows:
HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The High Court of Australia is hearing appeals in person but is also continuing to hear directions and special leave applications by video.
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The Court continues to hear matters by videolink on MS Teams, except in circumstances where an in-person hearing is appropriate. If any party wishes to request an in-person hearing, the approach should be made to the docket or trial judge with all reason as to why an in-person hearing is necessary.
SUPREME COURT OF NSW
From 4 April 2022 the Court will list up to four matters per floor for live, in-person hearings. Unless notified otherwise by the Court, substantive hearings, contested motions and contested directions will be heard in person with staggered listing times. Should there be any difficulties (COVID related or otherwise), parties are able to make an application for the matter to be heard by telephone or AVL.
Registrar's lists and uncontested matters in Judges' lists will continue to be heard by telephone or AVL. Where there are proposed consent orders, these should be sent through to the Associate to the relevant List Judge well in advance of any directions hearing.
Duty Judge matters will continue to be heard by AVL at least until Easter.
Attendees to the Court must be at least double vaccinated and must wear a face mask.
Protocol for the Commercial List, Arbitration List and Technology and Construction List
The Court has implemented a new protocol which can be viewed here. In summary:
Procedure for directions
Procedure for Motions
Latest Supreme Court Announcement
Supreme Court of NSW COVID 19 Page
DISTRICT COURT OF NSW
The following arrangements apply in the District Court:
NCAT
Matters are proceeding by video link. There will be no in person hearings at NCAT before April 2022.