The Ministry of Justice is being urged to put on hold any plans to extend opening hours at District Courts in Auckland until a pay dispute with court staff is settled.
A pilot project showed that more cases went before judges more quickly when longer hours were trialled in June.
A report on the trial recommends earlier start times at the Auckland and Manukau District Courts.
The Justice Ministry says it will consider how Auckland courts generally might extend their hours.
The Public Service Association says staff already work long hours and are underpaid. Union members are unlikely to co-operate while their pay dispute continues, it says.
