The Ministry of Justice is making no apologies for closing parts of the Dunedin courthouse and the inconveniences that have resulted, despite growing frustration over trials being held in Invercargill.
But the Minister of Courts says there may be some good news soon.
Since the courthouse was partially closed in December, following a report from Opus, which revealed the court's tower was only at 15% to 20% compliant with earthquake standards of the building code, Dunedin jury trials have been held in Invercargill.
District courts general manager Tony Fisher said yesterday, the ministry appreciated the frustration users of the courthouse were experiencing, but Christchurch had shown all too clearly what was at stake when buildings were not capable of withstanding earthquakes.
"We have a report saying that the tower block could fall, so until the building is strengthened, we will not re-enter the premises.
"We make no apologies for this and are grateful for the support we have received from our sector partners, the judiciary and the legal profession in trying to make the best from a bad situation."
His comments were in response to concerns from senior Dunedin barrister Anne Stevens this week, who said travelling to and from Invercargill was stressful, expensive and exceptionally frustrating for all involved.
She had already taken part in five Dunedin trials in Invercargill, and had a further five scheduled, including one that involved five defence witnesses, some of them expensive experts, who all had to travel from Dunedin.
"It's just a terrible imposition. I cannot tell you how stressful this is. And this has been going on for eight months now."
The costs that the ministry had already had to pay as a result of the closure, including the relocation of some courts, engineering work, waiting rooms, and travel and accommodation etc, seemed ridiculous in the face of what, on the surface of it appeared to be a perfectly safe building, she said.
The fact no alternative location had been found yet, added to the irritation.
"The frustrations are enormous. It would be better psychologically if you knew there was a good reason behind it, but there's no comfort there."
There was no information about what was happening with the building, and no proof of what was wrong with it yet, she said.
"We have a perfectly good jury room here [in the closed part of the Dunedin Courthouse]. They have spent so much money here already and there's nothing wrong with the courthouse. I've not seen any bits fall off it in the last eight months. In fact I've never seen any bits fall off it in the 25 years I've been working in it."
Officials had tried to keep members of the legal profession up to date, but there was not a great deal to report since the decision to partially close the building was taken, Mr Fisher said.
He did not respond directly to rumours that a temporary courthouse was to be constructed in the city.
But Courts Minister Chester Borrows said several sites were being considered, including one "very close" to the courthouse, and some movement could be expected "soon".
