7.40 EMERGENCY COURT CLOSURE

A. Emergency Court Closure - Generally. A court may be closed if weather, technological failure or other hazardous or emergency conditions or events are or become such that the safety and welfare of the employees are threatened or the court is unable to operate or demands immediate actions to protect the court, its employees or property. GR 21(a).

B. Emergency Court Closure - Implementation.

1. Administrative Order. Closure of a court may be ordered by the chief justice, the presiding chief judge, presiding judge, or other judge so designated by the affected court who signs an administrative order which shall be filed with the clerk of the affected court. GR 21(a), (b).

2. Notification to Administrative Office of the Courts. The judge who directs the closure or his or her designee shall notify the Administrative Office of the Courts of any decision to close a court. Oral notifications shall be followed as soon as practicable with a written statement outlining the condition or event necessitating the closure and the length of the closure. GR 21(b).