President’s Message - Appearances at Manly Local Court and other Local Courts

21/12/2020

I have this morning been in touch with the Chief Magistrate regarding sittings at Manly Local Court and travel to Court by practitioners in the Northern Beaches lockdown area.

Sittings are continuing at Manly Local Court this week, subject to the usual precautions regarding temperature checks and social distancing. Members who reside out of the Northern Beaches area are permitted to travel into the area for the purpose of their work at Manly Local Court. Similarly, practitioners who reside inside the lockdown area of the Northern Beaches are permitted to travel out of the area to attend Court.

If safe social distancing is not occurring or a member does not feel comfortable with the precautions being taken at Manly Local Court or if they have a health condition which places them in a high risk category they should notify the Court to make other arrangements.

As in the past the Bar Association will continue to assist the Courts to operate within health restrictions and guidelines throughout the current lockdown and any further lockdowns.

The Bar Association will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as and when required. Our thoughts are with those members who have been affected by the Northern Beaches lockdown and those whose travel plans for the holiday season have been affected by the outbreak. We know that Christmas will not be the same for many people this year and we remind members that BarCare is available throughout the season on 0427 317 958 or at jhouen@barcare.org.