Christchurch prison sittings to end next week

File Photo / Richard Robinson

The Christchurch District Court will continue to hold week-day sittings at the Christchurch Men's Prison until the end of next week, and then the cases will be heard at the Rangiora Court House.

Rangiora has been handling new arrest cases since after the February 22 earthquake, while prisoners on remand have been brought before a judge in the Parole Board rooms at the prison.

Judge Gary MacAskill said at today's court sitting at the prison that from March 28 all the cases would be heard at Rangiora, where the public has access to the courtrooms. The media has been able to attend the prison sittings.

The courts are working on getting Christchurch jury trials held at the Timaru District Court from April 4, because the Christchurch Court House remains inside the central business district cordon.

- NZPA