The next hearing in the case against former Pike River CEO Peter Whittall will take place in Greymouth this morning.
He is defending 12 charges laid against him by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on health and safety failings in connection to the fatal explosion of the mine which killed 29 men.
Judge Jane Farish, in accepting Whittall's not guilty pleas last year, excused him from this morning's status hearing which is a chance for all parties to have an informal discussion about the case.
At earlier court appearances, Whittall's lawyers had requested that the case to be moved to Wellington - where he lives - to make it easier for him to attend.
The 12 charges Whittall will defend include failing to protect workers from harm relating to methane and ventilation, and mitigating explosion risk and impact.
