Additional court services are will come online next week as the courts continue to reopen in phases.

Alexandra Wheatley, the Supreme Court Registry, said in a notice the Supreme Court Registry on the third floor of the Dame Lois Browne-Evans building will reopen on Monday but with limited hours.

The registry will open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The registry located in the Government Administration Building will remain shut, so filings for criminal, commercial and civil matters should be filed in the DLBE office.

Searches of the cause book will be allowed, but only by appointment and measures will be put in place to prevent the spread of disease.

Only one person at a time will be allowed to access the cause book, and those who search the books must wear a mask and sanitise their hands.

To request and appointment, e-mail supremecourt@gov.bm.

The Magistrates’ Court cashier’s desk will open five days a week from Monday, although hours will continue to be limited.

The desk will operate from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as it has in recent weeks, but it will now also open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 4.30pm with a two-hour break between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

The Magistrates’ Court will also allow the filing of new civil and family matters between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays — although there will be an “unavoidable lag” in hearings.

Ms Wheatley said: “This is due to following the guidelines issued by the Department of Health concerning social distancing as well as guidelines issued in respect of the public entering Government buildings.

“In order to comply in particular with the DOH’s guidelines with social distancing, which require persons remain at least 6ft from one another and restrict ‘gatherings’ to ten persons, the court will not be in a position to list the usual number of matters for hearing at any one time.

“Please note other options are being explored to diminish delays where possible.”

Non-urgent Magistrates’ Court and Supreme Court matters will continue to be adjourned and the court will not swear affidavits, certify copies or perform criminal records checks until further notice.