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For the lawyers conducting the committal hearings in the criminal cartel case over ANZ's $2.5 billion equity raising, the Sydney Downing Centre courtroom was already too close for comfort.
Six law firms are working on a consolidated trial of multiple class actions over the collapse of retailer Dick Smith, but when the trial opened in the NSW Supreme Court this week, a lone barrister appeared in court before Justice Michael Ball, amid a sea of empty bar tables. Most of the hearing's participants joined through a virtual courtroom while members of the public were invited to watch the trial unfold on a YouTube live stream. Welcome to litigating in the age of the coronavirus.
The Federal Court has updated guidance on its response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying it is working with lawyers to ensure as many hearings listed for the coming months can proceed. And Monday's calendar, while perhaps lighter than usual, shows multiple matters will be heard as planned -- by telephone.
The move by Australia's highest courts to vacate in-person hearings in the face of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have only a minor impact on cases in the short term, lawyers say, but the delays to trials and other major hearings will have a flow-on effect that could be felt for years to come.
A MinterEllison employee has tested positive to the new coronavirus and is now in self isolation, as are all the colleagues they were recently in contact with.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued guidelines on consumers' rights to refunds if a flight or event is shuttered due to the coronavirus, saying consumer guarantees could be affected if cancellation are caused by government restrictions.
The Federal Court of Australia has put a stop to all hearings listed up to June 30 and the High Court will not be sitting in April, May or June, the latest moves by the courts to reduce the risk to staff and visitors of exposure to the new coronavirus.
An employee in Allens' Brisbane office may have been exposed to the coronavirus, according to the firm, which has ordered that all staff begin working remotely as of Wednesday.
The Federal Circuit Court and Family Court in Sydney shut down on Tuesday after a family law practitioner advised of a positive COVID-19 test, but the courts said they would re-open on Wednesday.
The number of lawyers working at home continues to grow as the coronavirus spreads in Australia, with four law firms ordering staff to pack up and work from home, and more expected to follow their lead.