Ministry of Justice-appointed engineers met engineers from Dunedin to discuss what was being planned for the building in an attempt to allow some scrutiny.
However, those present were forced to sign confidentiality agreements to guarantee no details of the controversial business plan on the courthouse's required strengthening were leaked.
The meeting was arranged by Dunedin-based Police Minister Michael Woodhouse, who told the Otago Daily Times this week his position was a difficult one.
On the one hand, he wanted to see the courthouse restored and retained as a seat of justice in the South, but he was also aware his colleague, Justice Minister Amy Adams, had ''a number of priorities'' she needed to balance while deliberating on the building's fate.
Those priorities included financial practicalities, he said.
But the secret meeting was not arranged to discuss finances, Mr Woodhouse said.
Instead, its purpose was to ''get an understanding of what the issues were and just to continue a dialogue that I thought might be helpful as we go forward''.
''And I thought it was helpful.''
He felt it was important there be ''an understanding'' on what advice was being relied on.
''I needed to know that myself.''
The meeting focused on the engineering aspects of the strengthening, and the earthquake standards being demanded by the ministry, he said.
''The task for me was to see if we could get a clear read on the technical matters that faced the building.''
Although he could not go into detail, he believed the meeting had been worthwhile.
Mr Woodhouse said his job throughout the courthouse saga had been to make sure ''Dunedin's mood'' was understood in Wellington. He, personally, ''absolutely 100%'' wanted to see court services return to the 1902 building.
''But I have to be realistic. I guess there is a point where it has to make operational and financial sense. It is important to me that, if at all possible, we get the people back in there and operating as a court.
''I completely understand the public and the city council's desire that this building does have life breathed back into it.''
The courthouse's future is detailed in a draft business plan set to be put before Cabinet within the next two weeks.
It was written over more than three years by Ministry of Justice staff before being delivered to Mrs Adams in September.
It has since been analysed by the Treasury and is expected to be before the Cabinet by the end of the year. Cabinet's final meeting this year is on December 7.
Mrs Adams has previously said the business plan showed required strengthening work would cost more than $15 million, a figure Dunedin engineers and construction experts have since rejected.
The minister has denied a request from the ODT for the business case to be released.
That matter is now before the Ombudsman.
