Having no security guards working at Dunedin's courthouse during industrial action, is putting counsel, judges, other court staff and clients at risk, lawyers say.
But the Ministry of Justice says it is satisfied security is being appropriately managed during such action.
Public Service Association spokesman Nick Hirst said all security officers at present working at the court were members of the union, which was in a pay dispute with the Ministry of Justice.
Aiming to be as disruptive as possible, union members were at present working to rule, (taking entitled breaks together at the same every day) and periodically walking off the job for up to eight hours.
During these times the metal detector at the entrance to the courthouse was not operating and security checks were not being carried out on those entering the building.
Dunedin lawyer and Otago District Law Society president Brian Kilkelly said the absence of security checks at the entrance of the courthouse must place users of the court, including judges, other court staff, lawyers and their clients, at some risk.
He said several lawyers had approached him with similar concerns.
However, a Justice spokesman said to suggest the court was without security was not correct.
Police would normally also be present at court, particularly as they were responsible for custody of some defendants, he said.
The use of security officers was based on operational needs at the time and it was "very common" for courts to have security staff present only when there was an identified risk.
Mr Kilkelly said he struggled with the ministry's rationale.
"If they didn't need security officers all the time, surely they would just contract them in when they needed them."
Police were present inside courtrooms, but not at the entrance to the court house, he said.
He also queried the purpose of having a metal detector, if it was not required.
However, the Justice spokesman said decisions were made about court security based on a number of factors and staff did not routinely scan every person to enter the building.
If it was felt court security was compromised, the ministry would not hesitate to close the court or request police assistance, he said. The National Union of Public Employees (Nupe), which has 125 court staff members, announced yesterday it had reached a collective employment agreement with the Ministry of Justice.
There has been no settlement in the pay dispute between the PSA and the ministry.
