Jury trials in Christchurch face further delays

Jury trials scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week have been postponed as Christchurch struggles to recover from Saturday's earthquake.

The trials were all postponed this week because of the likely unavailability of people who had been summoned to serve as jurors.

The decision to push the date for resumption of the trials back to Wednesday was announced at the Christchurch District Court today after a meeting between Judge Michael Crosbie and the city's Crown Solicitor Brent Stanaway.

The Ministry of Justice said those summoned to appear next week should expect to attend court on Wednesday but they should check the message on the Christchurch jury service phone number -- (03) 962 4399 -- after 5pm on Tuesday for confirmation.

The ministry said no records, files or other documents were lost or destroyed in any of its facilities in Christchurch during the earthquake and its hundreds of after-shocks.

Sittings at the Christchurch Court House have been gradually returning to normal, and the courts have been handling new arrests and applications for bail normally. It has also been hearing defended hearings, minor traffic matters, and jury pre-trial applications.

- NZPA