The Chief Justice on the hearing of cases in the Supreme Court during the coronavirus outbreak

On 12 March 2020, I decided to suspend all oral hearings in the Supreme Court from Friday 13 March until Thursday 26 March 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak and the authorities' measures to limit the spread of the virus. This period was later extended to Monday 13 April. Today, I have decided to extend the period further to Sunday 26 April 2020.

Counsel in cases concerned have already been contacted.

The suspension will not affect the written hearings in the Supreme Court's Appeals Selection Committee. Preparations in cases that have proceeded to the Supreme Court will also, on the whole, continue as normal for the time being.

Through Regulations relating to simplifications and measures within the judiciary to remedy the consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Supreme Court has been granted extended access to use remote meetings in both civil and criminal cases, and the possibility to hear criminal cases by way of written submissions. The Supreme Court has already implemented these systems, and counsel will be contacted in each case.

The Supreme Court's measures are taken to reduce the risk of contamination and to ensure that the Supreme Court may retain its function as the country's highest court and one of the three state powers.