Jury trials are to commence on Wednesday the 10th of March 2021 following a gap of over a year caused by the Covid19 pandemic. The schedule is subject to any changes in measures imposed to combat the Covid19 pandemic. The session beginning 10 March 2021 will last for three weeks instead of the usual two weeks.
Jury trials are scheduled for the first and third week. The second week has a Judge Alone trial scheduled involving a private prosecution brought by a citizen against the Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister alleging breaches of s 280 of the Crimes Act 1969 and s 64(2)(d)(1) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Act 1995-96 in relation to the charter at public expense of flights to Penrhyn and Pukapuka in the aftermath of the 14 June 2018 General Election with the amount paid for the charter flights being alleged to have been improper use of public monies or a fraudulent conspiracy in that regard.
All trials will be open to the public subject to seating limitations and social distancing measures. Recording or photography is not permitted in the Courtroom, exemption may be requested in writing through the Registrar prior to the trial.