Coronavirus (L4)

Currently at Alert Level Four - physical offices not open to public - video and phone services are available

All of New Zealand is at Alert Level 4. Regularly check locations of interest to see if you need to get tested. Find locations of interest

The following information is provided courtesy of the New Zealand Law Society

Department of Corrections (Prisons & Parole)

Prisons have suspended face-to-face visits by legal advisers. Visits can still take place by other means, such as over the phone, AVL and Jabber where available.

Lawyers and prisoners can still also communicate via post, courier and email in line with the usual processes.

All prison sites will accept email communications, provided that emails are sent to an official prison email address from a recognised email address linked to a law firm, practice or organisation that is verifiable.

Parole Board hearings: For the rest of the week New Zealand Parole Board will take place via audio visual link or conference call. If necessary, counsel impacted by the change of alert levels should contact Board administrators to connect to hearings.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)

Property settlements: Land Information New Zealand has provided a summary of its existing guidance regarding signing documents remotely and the modifications to deal with COVID-19 restrictions.

Employment Relations Authority (ERA)

In-person investigations meetings have been postponed for Alert Level 4. For more information see the guidance section on the Authority’s website.

Investigations meetings: For regions served by the Auckland office (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, King Country and Bay of Plenty) in person investigation meetings are postponed up to and including 27 August 2021. For regions served by the Wellington and Christchurch offices, in person investigation meetings are postponed up to and including 20 August 2021.

Where appropriate the Authority may continue investigations of some matters via teleconference, audio-visual link or by considering written evidence and written submissions only.

Adjourned meetings: All postponed investigation meetings will be placed on the Authority prioritised waitlist. Parties and representatives will be contacted by the Authority when it is ready to proceed to investigate their matter.

Case management conferences: Authority Members will convene case management conferences by telephone with parties or their representatives to discuss arrangements for dealing with new applications.

Courts

Courts remain an essential service throughout all COVID-19 alert levels. All matters which are not “priority proceedings” will be adjourned for the next 48 hours across all courts. This includes jury trials.

For full details of Court protocols please refer to the latest communication from the Chief Justice.

Wills, Oaths, Declarations and Property Settlements

The government made Immediate Modification Orders to the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957, the Wills Act 2007 and the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (Enduring Powers of Attorney) in response to the restrictions of COVID-19. These still apply. Read the advice on the Ministry of Justice website.

The legislation can be found here:

Epidemic Preparedness (Oaths and Declarations Act 1957) Immediate Modification Order 2020

Epidemic Preparedness (Wills Act 2007—Signing and Witnessing of Wills) Immediate Modification Order 2020

Epidemic Preparedness (Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988—Enduring Powers of Attorney) Immediate Modification Order 2020

Helping you access justice... safely

All offices are closed however we still to do the legal stuff online - because we're about access to justice! We know this makes us a bit different from the traditional law firms, but that's one good reason why our customers choose us.

We're being very careful. Portia implemented heightened virus controls well before the pandemic declaration in 2020. Every time anyone comes into our office they must wash or sanitise their hands. All common surfaces are regularly disinfected.

If your financial circumstances change

Let's face it - the economy is tanking for lots of Kiwis. Many people are losing their source of income and experiencing hardship.

Portia's parent company, Ebborn Law Limited, is committed to providing legal aid to those people who need it. Contact us on 0800 339 223 for help.

Our staff are experts in accessing government-funded legal services. We're also highly-regarded litigators because we attend court regularly in several areas.

Legal service:
the Portia way

We can arrange for a video or telephone consultation.

Our video links are undertaken using 3CX, an ultra-secure peer-to-peer video communication platform.

You don't need any special software on your device or computer to video conference us.

There is no additional fee or hidden charge for this service - it's just part of the everyday way we try to make things easier for you!