A New Zealand official said the "pop-up courts" had proven an effective temporary option for the city of Christchurch in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake.

Fairfax Media last month reported the option was under consideration so Canberra's courts could continue to operate during the construction of the new precinct between 2016 to 2018.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell told a June budget estimates hearing that the temporary buildings could be constructed on vacant land behind the ACT Magistrates Court building.

The cost has been estimated at $14.2 million.

A decision on a temporary facility won't be made until a consortium is chosen for the public private partnership project.

The ACT government has shortlisted two consortiums for the courts complex project, with the successful bidder to design, build, and finance the new Supreme Court facilities and provide support services and maintenance to the courts precinct for a period of 25 years.

ACT Law Society president Martin Hockridge said, as an interim measure, the legal profession did not care about the containers appearance, as long the option provided comfort and practicality.

Mr Hockridge said the pop-up court must provide protection from harsh Canberra seasons, appropriate security, recording facilities, video conferencing, and sufficient room for practitioners, accused people, victims and witnesses.

"That the courts continue to operate is the principal concern," Mr Hockridge said.

"There are shipping containers - as in huge iron boxes straight from the deck of a merchant vessel - and there are shipping containers - that resemble those iron boxes but are repurposed.

"We had initially understood that some variety of demountable structure would be used to enable the courts to continue to operate during the construction period."

Mr Hockridge noted that the cost estimate of $14.2 million dollars appeared to be excessive.

"We anticipate that the successful consortium will look for the most cost effective option that ensures the court can continue to operate without unnecessary delay and inconvenience.

"We expect that whichever is the successful consortium will take advice from the profession, the judiciary and interested parties as well as from the government and implement a suitable option."

New Zealand Justice Ministry general manager Fraser Gibbs said jury trials had initially been held outside Christchurch in the earthquake's aftermath.

Trials returned in January 2012 with the installation of the modular pop-up courts – which provided a total building area of about 500 square metres across two courtrooms.

Mr Gibbs said the solution had proven "very effective".

"It had the durability to last long term if the repairs to the damaged courthouse were delayed," Mr Gibbs said.

"The facility had two courtrooms equipped for jury trials, support spaces and custodial facilities. It was used for cases under all jurisdictions."

Mr Gibbs said construction took about three months. The damaged courthouse has since been repaired and the temporary units move to other sites for continued use.