Dunedin courtrooms to close for quake work

Two of the five courtrooms at Dunedin's courthouse will be closed for up to a year following an assessment that found they needed to be strengthened in case of earthquakes.

The Ministry of Justice announced this afternoon the court's Tower Block had been identified as posing a risk in a significant seismic event.

That block and the immediate surrounding areas would be closed while the block was strengthened, at a cost of up to $3 million.

Ministry Acting Deputy Secretary for Courts, Robert Pigou, says the major part of the building, containing three of the five courtrooms, was safe and would be unaffected.

"Most services will remain in the building and alternative accommodation for the judiciary, who are currently in the Tower Block, has already been identified, and we expect to sign leases for these this week.

"There are 40 Ministry staff housed at Dunedin and we expect the majority of our staff will continue to work from the courthouse.

"We will work with the judiciary, our sector partners, local staff and court users to resolve any issues they may have. Counsel and parties will be notified of any changes to current arrangements," Mr Pigou says.