{"id":"tas:act-1987-045","name":"Magistrates Court Act 1987","slug":"magistrates-court-act-1987","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"45 of 1987","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":109848,"registerId":"tas-act-1987-045-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part I","sectionType":"part","heading":"[Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary","content":"# Part I [Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> *\\[Section 1 Amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 6 \\]*This Act may be cited as the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> > (1)  This section and [section 1](#GS1@EN) shall commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.\n> \n> > (2)  Except as provided in [subsection (1)](#GS2@Gs1@EN) , this Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> *\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 4 of 1988, s. 166 \\]**\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 7 \\]**\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 46 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 3 \\]**\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 16 of 1995, s. 94 \\]**\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –[*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC1@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS67@Hpa@EN)\n> \n> > ***Administrator of the Magistrates Court*** or ***Administrator*** means the person who is appointed as Administrator of the Magistrates Court pursuant to [section 16](#GS16@EN) ;\n> \n> > ***Chief Magistrate*** means the person who is appointed as Chief Magistrate pursuant to [section 5](#GS5@EN) ;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 25, Applied:01 Jul 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS25@EN) ***committee*** means the committee continued in existence by [section 15AC](#GS15AC@EN) under the name \"Magistrates Rule Committee\";\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***complying superannuation scheme*** means a complying superannuation fund as provided by the law of the Commonwealth;\n> \n> [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC1@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC1@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS67@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-30/act-1992-027#JS1@Ja3@GC1@Hpa@EN)\n> \n> > ***coroner*** means a coroner within the meaning of the [Coroners Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1995-073) ;\n> \n> > ***Deputy Chief Magistrate*** means the person who is appointed as Deputy Chief Magistrate pursuant to [section 6](#GS6@EN) [(1)](#GS6@Gs1@EN) , and includes an acting Deputy Chief Magistrate temporarily appointed pursuant to [section 6](#GS6@EN) [(7)](#GS6@Gs7@EN) ;\n> \n> > ***division*** means a division of the Magistrates Court;\n> \n> > ***function*** includes duty;\n> \n> > ***lower courts*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the Magistrates Court;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) courts of summary jurisdiction within the meaning of the [Justices Act 1959](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1959-077) ;\n> > > \n> > > > (ba) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 102 of 2001, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Jun 2002\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-06-28/act-2001-102#JS1@Ja5@GC1@EN) the Land Valuation Court continued under [Part 7 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2001-102#HP7@EN) [Valuation of Land Act 2001](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2001-102) ;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-30/act-1992-027#JS1@Ja3@GC1@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 40 of 1998, s. 4, Applied:26 May 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-05-26/act-1998-040#GS4@EN) a tribunal under any Act –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) that is constituted by a magistrate; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) of which a magistrate is the chairperson;\n> > > \n> > > > (d)\n> > > \n> > > > (e) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 2 of 1998, Sched. 2, Applied:01 Jul 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-07-01/act-1998-002#JS2@Ja11@GC1@EN)\n> > > \n> > > > (f)\n> \n> > ***magistrate*** means a person who is appointed as a magistrate pursuant to [section 4](#GS4@EN) , and includes a person who, by virtue of [section 19](#GS19@EN) [(1)](#GS19@Gs1@EN) , is deemed to have been so appointed;\n> \n> > ***Magistrates Court*** means the Magistrates Court of Tasmania established by this Act;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 53 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-053#JS1@Ja3@GC1@EN) ***minor civil claim*** means a minor civil claim within the meaning of the [Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027) ;\n> \n> > ***the regulations*** means regulations made and in force under this Act.\n> \n> [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC1@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS67@Hpc@EN)\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC1@Hpc@EN) ***Secretary*** means the Secretary of the Department.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part II","sectionType":"part","heading":"[Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court","content":"# Part II [Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"3A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Creation of the Magistrates Court","content":"### 3A Creation of the Magistrates Court\n\n> *\\[Section 3A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  There is established by this Act a court to be known as the Magistrates Court of Tasmania.\n> \n> > (2)  The Magistrates Court is a court of record and shall have jurisdiction throughout the State.\n> \n> > (3)  The Magistrates Court consists of the Chief Magistrate, the Deputy Chief Magistrate, and the magistrates.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"3B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court","content":"### 3B Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court\n\n> *\\[Section 3B Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  The Magistrates Court shall have such jurisdictions as are conferred on it by or under this Act or any other Act.\n> \n> > (2)  For the purposes of the organization and conduct of the business of the Magistrates Court, the Court shall exercise its jurisdictions in divisions, which may be created by or under this Act or any other Act and every proceeding in the Court shall be instituted, heard, and determined in one of those divisions.\n> \n> > (3)  Where an Act confers a jurisdiction on the Magistrates Court but does not specify in which division proceedings under that Act shall be adjudicated upon, the Chief Magistrate shall direct in which division the proceedings shall be instituted, heard, and determined.\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 3B Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS9@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3B Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS9@Hpa@EN) The Chief Magistrate may assign in writing a magistrate (including himself or herself and the Deputy Chief Magistrate) to such division or divisions of the Magistrates Court as he or she thinks fit.\n> \n> > (5)  A magistrate who is not assigned to a division or divisions of the Magistrates Court may take part in the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court in any of its divisions but, subject to [subsection (6)](#GS3B@Gs6@EN) , a magistrate who is assigned to a division or divisions of the Court shall take part in the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Court in that division or those divisions only.\n> \n> > (6)  [*\\[Section 3B Subsection (6) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS9@Hpc@EN) Where he or she considers that circumstances make it desirable to do so, the Chief Magistrate may arrange for a magistrate who is assigned to a division or divisions of the Court to take part in the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Court in another division of the Court, and the magistrate shall take part in the exercise of that jurisdiction accordingly.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appointment of magistrates","content":"### 4 Appointment of magistrates\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpa@EN) Subject to this Act, the Governor may appoint such magistrates as the Governor thinks fit.\n> \n> > (1A)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS4@Hpa@EN) Under [subsection (1)](#GS4@Gs1@EN) , a person may be appointed as a –\n> > \n> > > > (a) permanent full-time magistrate; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) permanent part-time magistrate.\n> \n> > (1B)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS4@Hpa@EN) If the nature of a person's appointment under [subsection (1)](#GS4@Gs1@EN) is not specified in the instrument of appointment, the person is taken to have been appointed as a permanent full-time magistrate.\n> \n> > (1C)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1C) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS4@Hpa@EN) A permanent part-time magistrate holds office for such term, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (1D)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1D) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpb@EN) A person appointed as a permanent full-time magistrate may, by written agreement with the Chief Magistrate made with the approval of the Attorney-General, perform the duties of that office on a part-time basis for a period specified in the agreement.\n> \n> > (1E)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1E) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpb@EN) An agreement under [subsection (1D)](#GS4@Gs1D@EN) is to specify the hours of duty that the magistrate concerned will ordinarily be expected to work whilst performing the duties of that office on a part-time basis, expressed as a proportion of the time that a permanent full-time magistrate is ordinarily expected to work.\n> \n> > (1F)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1F) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpb@EN) The hours of duty specified in an agreement under [subsection (1D)](#GS4@Gs1D@EN) may be varied by written agreement between the magistrate concerned and the Chief Magistrate made with the approval of the Attorney-General.\n> \n> > (1G)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1G) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpb@EN) [Subsection (1D)](#GS4@Gs1D@EN) does not apply to the Deputy Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpc@EN) A magistrate is not subject to the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) but a State Service officer or State Service employee who is appointed as a magistrate retains all of his or her existing and accruing rights as if his or her service as a magistrate were a continuation of the State Service employment.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpd@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpf@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpe@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC1@Hpd@EN) Where a person ceases to hold the office of magistrate and becomes a State Service officer or State Service employee, the person's service in that office shall be regarded as service as such an officer or employee for the purposes of determining the person's rights as an officer or employee under the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) .\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpf@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS10@Hpe@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 5 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:11 Apr 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-11/act-2003-005#GS4@Hpa@EN) The Governor may, for any temporary purpose, appoint such number of qualified persons as the Governor considers necessary as temporary magistrates, and each person so appointed shall hold office for such period, on such terms, and subject to such conditions, as may be specified in the person's instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (4A)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (4A) inserted by No. 5 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:11 Apr 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-11/act-2003-005#GS4@Hpb@EN) In [subsection (4)](#GS4@Gs4@EN) ,\n> > \n> > > ***qualified person*** means a person who –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) is eligible for appointment as a magistrate under [section 8(1)](#GS8@Gs1@EN) ; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) is or has been a judge of the Federal Court of Australia; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (c) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (4A) amended by No. 36 of 2017, s. 17, Applied:19 Sep 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-09-19/act-2017-036#GS17@EN) is or has been a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia or has been a magistrate of the Federal Magistrates Court; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (d) is or has been a magistrate or a judge of a court of another State or a Territory.\n> \n> > (5)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (5) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS4@Hpb@EN) The provisions of [sections 9](#GS9@EN) , [10](#GS10@EN) (other than [subsection (4)](#GS10@Gs4@EN) of that section) and [12](#GS12@EN) do not apply to a person who is appointed as a temporary magistrate under [subsection (4)](#GS4@Gs4@EN) .\n> \n> > (6)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (6) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (6) substituted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS68@EN) A magistrate is an employee for the purposes of the [Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-011) .\n> \n> > (7)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (7) amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC2@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (7) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (7) omitted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS68@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (7A)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (7A) inserted by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC2@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (7A) omitted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS68@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (8)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (8) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (8) omitted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS68@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (9)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (9) amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC2@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (9) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (9) omitted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS68@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (10)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (10) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (10) omitted by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-15/act-2005-065#JS1@Ja14@GC2@Hpd@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief Magistrate","content":"### 5 Chief Magistrate\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 5 Subsection (1) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 5, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS5@EN) Subject to [section 19](#GS19@EN) [(4)](#GS19@Gs4@EN) , the Governor may appoint a permanent full-time magistrate to be the Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (2)  The Chief Magistrate may resign from the office of Chief Magistrate but still retain the office of magistrate.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Deputy Chief Magistrate","content":"### 6 Deputy Chief Magistrate\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 6 Subsection (1) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 6, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS6@Hpa@EN) Subject to [section 19](#GS19@EN) [(5)](#GS19@Gs5@EN) , the Governor may appoint a permanent full-time magistrate to be the Deputy Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 6 Subsection (2) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 11, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS11@Hpa@EN) The Deputy Chief Magistrate shall, in addition to exercising his or her functions as a magistrate, exercise such other functions as the Chief Magistrate may direct.\n> \n> > (3)  The Deputy Chief Magistrate shall act in the office of the Chief Magistrate during –\n> > \n> > > > (a) an absence from duty of the Chief Magistrate; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) a vacancy in the office of Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 6 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 11, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS11@Hpb@EN) *\\[Section 6 Subsection (4) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 10 \\]*The Deputy Chief Magistrate shall, while acting in the office of the Chief Magistrate, have and may perform all the functions and exercise all the powers of that office and be entitled to receive the same remuneration as is ordinarily payable to the Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (5)  Any act, matter, or thing done by the Deputy Chief Magistrate while acting in the office of the Chief Magistrate shall be deemed to have been done by the Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (6)  The Deputy Chief Magistrate may resign from the office of Deputy Chief Magistrate but still retain the office of magistrate.\n> \n> > (7)  [*\\[Section 6 Subsection (7) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 11, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS11@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 6 Subsection (7) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 6, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS6@Hpb@EN) *\\[Section 6 Subsection (7) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 10 \\]*The Attorney-General may, during an absence from duty by, or vacancy in the office of, Deputy Chief Magistrate, appoint a permanent full-time magistrate to be acting Deputy Chief Magistrate and that magistrate shall, while acting in the office of Deputy Chief Magistrate, be entitled to receive the same remuneration as is ordinarily payable to the Deputy Chief Magistrate.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Oaths to be taken","content":"### 7 Oaths to be taken\n\n> [*\\[Section 7 Amended by No. 92 of 2001, s. 14, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-092#GS14@EN) [*\\[Section 7 Amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 12, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS12@EN) [*\\[Section 7 Substituted by No. 8 of 2015, s. 11, Applied:15 May 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-05-15/act-2015-008#GS11@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  A magistrate must not perform or exercise any of the functions, duties or powers of his or her office until he or she has, under [section 8(1) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2015-007#GS8@Gs1@EN) [Promissory Oaths Act 2015](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2015-007) , taken and subscribed the judicial oath.\n> \n> > (2)  [Subsection (1)](#GS7@Gs1@EN) only applies to a person appointed as a magistrate after the day on which the [Promissory Oaths Act 2015](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2015-007) commences.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Qualification for appointment","content":"### 8 Qualification for appointment\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (1) amended by No. 66 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-12-31/act-2007-066#JS1@Ja59@GC1@EN) *\\[Section 8 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*A person is not eligible for appointment as a magistrate unless the person is an Australian lawyer of not less than 5 years' standing as an Australian legal practitioner.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (2) amended by No. 11 of 2021, s. 4, Applied:06 Sep 2021\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-09-06/act-2021-011#GS4@EN) [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (2) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 13, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS13@EN) [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (2) amended by No. 17 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:10 Jun 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-06-10/act-2005-017#JS1@Ja14@GC1@EN) A person is not eligible for appointment as a magistrate if he or she has attained the age of 75 years.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (3) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 7, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS7@EN) [*\\[Section 8 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 5 of 2003, s. 5, Applied:11 Apr 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-11/act-2003-005#GS5@EN) [Subsection (2)](#GS8@Gs2@EN) does not apply to a person who is otherwise eligible for appointment as a permanent part-time magistrate or temporary magistrate.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Tenure of office","content":"### 9 Tenure of office\n\n> > (1)  A magistrate shall not be suspended or removed from office except by the Governor on an address from both Houses of Parliament, praying for such suspension or removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.\n> \n> > (2)  Except as provided by [subsection (1)](#GS9@Gs1@EN) , the Governor shall not suspend a magistrate or remove a magistrate from office.\n> \n> > (3)  A magistrate shall be deemed to have vacated the office of magistrate if –\n> > \n> > > > (a) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 14, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS14@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 14, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS14@Hpa@EN) he or she becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any laws for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his or her creditors, or makes any assignment of his or her remuneration or estate for their benefit; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (3) amended by No. 32 of 1996, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Nov 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-01/act-1996-032#JS1@Ja20@GC1@EN) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 14, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS14@Hpc@EN) he or she becomes unable to perform competently the duties of the office.\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (4) substituted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 8, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS8@Hpa@EN) Notwithstanding anything in [subsections (1)](#GS9@Gs1@EN) , [(2)](#GS9@Gs2@EN) and [(3)](#GS9@Gs3@EN)  –\n> > \n> > > > (a) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (4) amended by No. 17 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:10 Jun 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-06-10/act-2005-017#JS1@Ja14@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (4) amended by No. 11 of 2021, s. 5, Applied:06 Sep 2021\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-09-06/act-2021-011#GS5@EN) a permanent full-time magistrate retires from office when he or she turns 75 years of age; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) a permanent part-time magistrate retires from office when his or her term of office expires.\n> \n> > (5)  [*\\[Section 9 Subsection (5) omitted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 8, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS8@Hpb@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Terms and conditions of service of magistrates","content":"### 10 Terms and conditions of service of magistrates\n\n> *\\[Section 10 Subsection (4) amended by No. 42 of 1996, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  *\\[Section 10 Subsection (1) amended by No. 45 of 1996, s. 6 \\]*[*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1) amended by No. 17 of 1996, Applied:13 Jul 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-07-13/act-1996-017#AT@EN) [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC2@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 9, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS9@EN) A permanent full-time magistrate is entitled to be paid a salary at the rate of –\n> > \n> > > > (a) 75% of the salary payable to a puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, if the magistrate is the Chief Magistrate; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) 70% of that salary, if the magistrate is the Deputy Chief Magistrate; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) 67·5% of that salary, in any other case.\n> \n> > (1AA)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1AA) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 15, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS15@EN) [Subsection (1)](#GS10@Gs1@EN) has effect subject to any proportional adjustment that may be temporarily required consequent on an agreement under [section 4(1C)](#GS4@Gs1C@EN) .\n> \n> > (1A)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 9, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS9@EN) A permanent part-time magistrate is entitled to be paid such salary as is specified in his or her instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (1B)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 9, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS9@EN) A magistrate is entitled to be paid such travelling and other allowances as the Governor may from time to time determine or, if there is for the time being no such determination, such travelling and other allowances as are applicable to a person who is a Head of a State Service Agency.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 10 Subsection (2) amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*A magistrate is an employee for the purposes of the [Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-013) .\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (3) amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 69, Applied:31 Mar 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-03-31/act-2016-054#GS69@EN) *\\[Section 10 Subsection (3) amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*[*\\[Section 10 Subsection (3) omitted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2000-103#JS1@Ja15@GC3@EN) [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 6 of 2013, s. 8, Applied:13 Dec 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-12-13/act-2013-006#GS8@EN) A magistrate is an employee for the purposes of the [Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-011) .\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (4) amended by No. 28 of 2011, s. 39, Applied:31 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-31/act-2011-028#GS39@EN) *\\[Section 10 Subsection (4) amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*A magistrate is a worker for the purposes of the [Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1988-004) and the [Asbestos-Related Diseases (Occupational Exposure) Compensation Act 2011](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2011-029) .\n> \n> > (5)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (5) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC2@Hpb@EN) A magistrate is entitled to such leave as may be prescribed for a State Service officer or State Service employee.\n> \n> > (6)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (6) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC2@Hpc@EN) For the purposes of [subsection (5)](#GS10@Gs5@EN) , the Chief Magistrate shall perform the same functions and exercise the same powers as a Head of a State Service Agency in respect of the magistrates.\n> \n> > (7)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (7) amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja70@GC1@Hpa@EN) *\\[Section 10 Subsection (7) inserted by No. 45 of 1996, s. 6 \\]*The Chief Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate and a magistrate are entitled to be paid out of the Public Account.\n> \n> > (8)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (8) amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja70@GC1@Hpb@EN) *\\[Section 10 Subsection (8) inserted by No. 45 of 1996, s. 6 \\]*Any allowance payable to the Chief Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate or a magistrate under this Act is to be paid out of the Public Account.\n> \n> > (9)  [*\\[Section 10 Subsection (9) amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja70@GC1@Hpc@EN) *\\[Section 10 Subsection (9) inserted by No. 45 of 1996, s. 6 \\]*The Public Account is appropriated to the extent necessary for the purposes of [subsections (7)](#GS10@Gs7@EN) and [(8)](#GS10@Gs8@EN) .","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"10A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Immunities","content":"### 10A Immunities\n\n> *\\[Section 10A Inserted by No. 46 of 1992, s. 4 \\]*A magistrate, in performing any function or exercising any power of the office of magistrate, has the same immunities as a puisne judge of the Supreme Court has under [section 6 (1) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1887-036#GS6@Gs1@EN) [Supreme Court Act 1887](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1887-036) .","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"10B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Magistrates not required to give evidence in certain cases","content":"### 10B Magistrates not required to give evidence in certain cases\n\n> [*\\[Section 10B Amended by No. 44 of 2004, s. 44, Applied:16 Nov 2004\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-11-16/act-2004-044#GS44@EN) [*\\[Section 10B Inserted by No. 61 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:24 Nov 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-24/act-1999-061#JS1@Ja5@GC1@Hpb@EN) A magistrate is not a compellable witness in a court, tribunal or any judicial or other proceedings in respect of anything that came to the magistrate's knowledge in performing and exercising the functions and powers of a magistrate.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Where magistrates are to be stationed","content":"### 11 Where magistrates are to be stationed\n\n> [*\\[Section 11 Substituted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 10, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS10@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  A permanent full-time magistrate is to be stationed in such city or town as the Attorney-General from time to time determines.\n> \n> > (2)  A permanent part-time or temporary magistrate is to work at such locations as the Chief Magistrate from time to time determines.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"11A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Hours of work of certain magistrates","content":"### 11A Hours of work of certain magistrates\n\n> [*\\[Section 11A Inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 10, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS10@EN) A permanent part-time or temporary magistrate is to work such hours as the Chief Magistrate from time to time determines.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Magistrates not to undertake other work","content":"### 12 Magistrates not to undertake other work\n\n> *\\[Section 12 Substituted by No. 16 of 1991, s. 4 \\]*A magistrate shall not –\n> \n> > > (a) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 66 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-12-31/act-2007-066#JS1@Ja59@GC2@EN) engage in, or continue the practice of, the profession of an Australian legal practitioner; or\n> > \n> > > (b) engage in any occupation or hold any office, either on a full-time or part-time basis, where engaging in that occupation or holding that office interferes, or might reasonably be expected to interfere, with the ability of the magistrate to perform the functions of –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) the office of magistrate; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) any office lawfully held by the magistrate in conjunction with, or by virtue of, holding the office of magistrate.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction and powers of magistrates","content":"### 13 Jurisdiction and powers of magistrates\n\n> *\\[Section 13 Subsection (2) amended by No. 16 of 1995, s. 94 \\]**\\[Section 13 Subsection (2) amended by No. 74 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  A magistrate has jurisdiction as a magistrate throughout the State.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 13 Subsection (2) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 11 \\]*[*\\[Section 13 Subsection (2) amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-30/act-1992-027#JS1@Ja3@GC2@EN) [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 11, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS11@EN) A magistrate, by virtue of his or her office and without further commission or authority, is a justice.\n> \n> > (3)  A magistrate may exercise and perform, throughout the State, all the jurisdiction, powers, and functions conferred and imposed on magistrates by or under any law of the State.\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 16, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS16@EN) *\\[Section 13 Subsection (4) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 19 and Sched. 1 \\]*The fact that a magistrate presides over or sits in a lower court, or exercises a jurisdiction or power, or performs a function, is conclusive evidence of his or her authority to do so.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction and powers of Chief Magistrate","content":"### 14 Jurisdiction and powers of Chief Magistrate\n\n> > (1)  The Chief Magistrate has jurisdiction as Chief Magistrate throughout the State.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 14 Subsection (2) amended by No. 74 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*[*\\[Section 14 Subsection (2) amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-30/act-1992-027#JS1@Ja3@GC3@EN) [*\\[Section 14 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 12, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS12@EN) The Chief Magistrate, by virtue of his or her office and without further commission or authority, may, in his or her capacity as Chief Magistrate, exercise and perform, throughout the State, all the jurisdiction, powers and functions conferred or imposed on the Chief Magistrate by or under any law of the State.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Arrangement of business of courts, and administrative matters","content":"### 15 Arrangement of business of courts, and administrative matters\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS15@Hpa@EN) *\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 12 \\]*The Chief Magistrate shall, before 1st December in each year, determine the places where lower courts may be held in the State for the period of 12 months commencing on 1st January next following and may vary the determination at any time during the period of 12 months.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 15 Subsection (2) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 12 & s. 19 and Sched. 1 \\]*[*\\[Section 15 Subsection (2) omitted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS15@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (2) inserted by No. 43 of 2006, s. 42, Applied:18 Dec 2006\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-043#GS42@EN) The Chief Magistrate may determine that a sitting at a specified court on a specified day, or at any time, is to be used only for a specified purpose unless the justice of the matter requires otherwise.\n> \n> > (3)  *\\[Section 15 Subsection (3) substituted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 12 \\]*[*\\[Section 15 Subsection (3) omitted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS15@Hpb@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (4)  In consultation with the Administrator, the Chief Magistrate shall determine what jurisdictions shall be exercised by each lower court.\n> \n> > (5)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (5) amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-30/act-1992-027#JS1@Ja3@GC4@EN) *\\[Section 15 Subsection (5) inserted by No. 74 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*The Chief Magistrate must direct in which lower courts and at what times each magistrate, justice, or coroner is to sit.\n> \n> > (6)  *\\[Section 15 Subsection (6) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*The Chief Magistrate is responsible for ensuring the orderly and expeditious discharge of the business of the lower courts and shall, in consultation with the Administrator, determine the administrative procedures to be implemented to ensure the disposal of all matters allocated to the courts with the least possible delay.\n> \n> > (7)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (7) amended by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS15@Hpc@EN) The Chief Magistrate is responsible for the administrative co-ordination, and the allocation of work, between the magistrates and between other justices.\n> \n> > (8)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (8) inserted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS15@Hpd@EN) The Chief Magistrate, in consultation with the Administrator, is responsible for the allocation of all matters for first appearance under any Act or other law in the lower courts throughout the State, regardless of whether any of the matters represents the exercise by a magistrate of an original or an appellate jurisdiction.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"15AA","sectionType":"section","heading":"Practice directions","content":"### 15AA Practice directions\n\n> [*\\[Section 15AA Inserted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 16, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS16@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The Chief Magistrate may –\n> > \n> > > > (a) issue such practice directions in relation to the practice and procedure of the lower courts as the Chief Magistrate thinks fit; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) vary or revoke any such practice directions; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) publish any such practice directions as the Chief Magistrate thinks fit.\n> \n> > (2)  The practice and procedure of the lower courts is to be in accordance with the practice directions from time to time in force unless the provisions of any Act or of any rules or other statutory instruments made under an Act provide otherwise.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 15AA Subsection (3) inserted by No. 43 of 2006, s. 43, Applied:18 Dec 2006\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-043#GS43@EN) The Chief Magistrate may issue practice directions specifying the circumstances in which initiating process must be filed in a registry.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"15AB","sectionType":"section","heading":"Professional development","content":"### 15AB Professional development\n\n> [*\\[Section 15AB Inserted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 16, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS16@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The Chief Magistrate is responsible for the professional development of the magistrates, the other justices and the lower court staff and may, from time to time, put in place such programs for that purpose as the Chief Magistrate thinks fit.\n> \n> > (2)  For this section,\n> > \n> > > ***lower court staff*** includes the Administrator and the district registrars and deputy district registrars.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"Part IIA","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rules","content":"# Part IIA Rules","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"15AC","sectionType":"section","heading":"Magistrates Rule Committee","content":"### 15AC Magistrates Rule Committee\n\n> [*\\[Section 15AC Inserted by No. 6 of 2003, s. 26, Applied:01 Jul 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS26@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The former rules committee continues under the name \"Magistrates Rule Committee\".\n> \n> > (2)  The committee consists of –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the Chief Magistrate who is the presiding member; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the Deputy Chief Magistrate; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) [*\\[Section 15AC Subsection (2) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 13, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS13@EN) the permanent full-time magistrates; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) [*\\[Section 15AC Subsection (2) amended by S.R. 2013, No. 89, Applied:27 Nov 2013\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-11-27/sr-2013-089#GS4@EN) a person appointed by the Minister on the nomination of The Tasmanian Bar; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) a person appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Law Society of Tasmania.\n> \n> > (3)  The Minister may require the body referred to in [subsection (2)(d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) to nominate a person within a specified period (being a period not less than 30 days).\n> \n> > (4)  If the body fails to nominate a person within that period, the Minister may make the nomination.\n> \n> > (5)  If the body referred to in [subsection (2)(d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) changes its name, the Governor may, by order, amend the relevant paragraph by substituting the body's new name.\n> \n> > (6)  If the body referred to in [paragraph (d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) of [subsection (2)](#GS15AC@Gs2@EN) ceases to exist, the Governor may, by order made on the recommendation of the committee, amend the relevant paragraph by substituting the name of a body which the Governor is satisfied substantially represents the interests represented by the body that has ceased to exist.\n> \n> > (7)  The Minister may, on the recommendation of the body referred to in [paragraph (d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) of [subsection (2)](#GS15AC@Gs2@EN) , appoint a deputy of the committee member referred to in the relevant paragraph.\n> \n> > (8)  If the committee member referred to in [subsection (2)(d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) is unable to attend a meeting of the committee for any reason, the member's deputy may attend and, when so doing, is taken to be a member of the committee with all the powers, rights and duties of a member.\n> \n> > (9)  All acts and proceedings of the committee while a deputy is acting in place of a member of the committee are valid and effectual for all purposes.\n> \n> > (10)  A committee member referred to in [subsection (2)(d)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS15AC@Gs2@Hpe@EN) and any deputy of that member holds office for the term set out in his or her instrument of appointment.\n> \n> > (11)  In this section,\n> > \n> > > ***former rules committee*** means the committee referred to in [section 20 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027#GS20@EN) [Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027) as in force immediately before the commencement of the [Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-999) .","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"15AD","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meetings and procedure of committee","content":"### 15AD Meetings and procedure of committee\n\n> [*\\[Section 15AD Inserted by No. 6 of 2003, s. 26, Applied:01 Jul 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS26@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  Meetings of the Magistrates Rule Committee are to be convened by or on the direction of the Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (2)  The quorum for a meeting of the committee is 8, of whom one is to be the Chief Magistrate or Deputy Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (3)  If the presiding member is unable to attend a meeting of the committee, the Deputy Chief Magistrate must preside at the meeting.\n> \n> > (4)  A telephone or video conference between members of the committee is a meeting of the committee at which the members participating in the conference are present.\n> \n> > (5)  Except as provided by this section, the committee may regulate its own proceedings.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"15AE","sectionType":"section","heading":"Committee may make rules of court","content":"### 15AE Committee may make rules of court\n\n> [*\\[Section 15AE Inserted by No. 6 of 2003, s. 26, Applied:01 Jul 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS26@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The Magistrates Rule Committee may make rules of court for all or any of the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) the divisions of the Magistrates Court;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) courts of summary jurisdiction;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) except as may be provided by any Act, other lower courts;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) except as may be provided by any Act, special proceedings.\n> \n> > (2)  Rules made under [subsection (1)](#GS15AE@Gs1@EN) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may, subject to any relevant enactment –\n> > \n> > > > (a) regulate the practice and procedure of that court or division or those proceedings; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) make provision for or in relation to the enforcement of judgments and orders of that court or division or magistrate presiding over those proceedings; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) make provision for or in relation to mediation and conciliation conferences including, but not limited to, the following matters:\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the appointment of mediators and conciliators and their powers and functions;\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the conduct of such conferences and associated procedures;\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (iii) the consequences of such conferences or the failure of such conferences; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) make provision for or in relation to any other matters as expressly or impliedly authorised by that enactment; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) make provision for any incidental or ancillary matters related to the jurisdiction and business of that court or division or related to the conduct of those proceedings.\n> \n> > (2A)  [*\\[Section 15AE Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 53 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-053#JS1@Ja3@GC2@Hpa@EN) Without limiting the generality of [subsection (1)](#GS15AE@Gs1@EN)  –\n> > \n> > > > (a) rules of court may be made for, or with respect to –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the practice and procedure of a magistrate in determining a minor civil claim; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the powers and functions that a registrar, mediator or conciliator may exercise, or be required to perform, in respect of a minor civil claim; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the rules may provide for, or with respect to, the holding of a conference by a registrar, mediator or conciliator in respect of a minor civil claim; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) rules made for the purpose of [paragraph (b)](#GS15AE@Gs2A@Hpb@EN) may –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) prescribe the purpose for which a conference referred to in that paragraph is to be held; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) authorise a registrar to delegate to an officer of the Magistrates Court of which he or she is the district registrar or deputy district registrar the performance of his or her functions, and the exercise of his or her powers, in respect of the holding of a conference under those rules; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (iii) provide for, or with respect to, the representation of the parties to a conference and the parties who are not entitled to be present at the conference; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (iv) provide for, or with respect to, the adjournment of a conference; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (v) provide for, or with respect to, the bringing about of an agreement between the parties to a proceeding as a result of a conference.\n> \n> > (3)  Rules made under [subsection (1)](#GS15AE@Gs1@EN) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may –\n> > \n> > > > (a) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the Chief Magistrate, a magistrate or coroner or other judicial officer specified in the rules; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the Administrator, a registrar or other court official specified in the rules; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time or circumstance or otherwise, specified in the rules; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) provide that a contravention of any of the rules is an offence; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) in respect of such an offence, provide for the imposition of a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding one penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) [*\\[Section 15AE Subsection (3) amended by No. 53 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-053#JS1@Ja3@GC2@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 15AE Subsection (3) amended by No. 53 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-053#JS1@Ja3@GC2@Hpb@EN) contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the [Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-006) or the [Magistrates Court (Minor Civil Claims) Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-053) , and any such provision may, if the rules so provide, take effect on the day of commencement of any Part of the Act specified in the rules or a later day.\n> \n> > (4)  Rules of court are statutory rules within the meaning of the [Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1953-050) .\n> \n> > (5)  The committee may delegate any of its functions or powers, other than this power of delegation, to the Chief Magistrate.\n> \n> > (6)  In this section –\n> > \n> > > ***relevant enactment*** means –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the enactment under which a court or a division of a court is established or constituted, or under which provision is made for special proceedings; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) any other enactment having application to that court or division or to those proceedings;\n> > \n> > > ***special proceedings*** means applications, appeals or other proceedings that are required to be presided over by a magistrate and for which, under the relevant enactment, rules of court are expressly or impliedly authorised or required to be made by the committee.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"Part III","sectionType":"part","heading":"[Part III Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 13 ]Registries, Officers, and Seal","content":"# Part III [Part III Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 13 ]Registries, Officers, and Seal","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"15A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registries","content":"### 15A Registries\n\n> *\\[Section 15A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 14 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 15A Subsection (1) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 17, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS17@EN) The Governor may cause such registries of the Magistrates Court to be established as the Governor thinks fit.\n> \n> > (2)  Each registry shall be a district registry in respect of such district as the Governor specifies.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administrator of Magistrates Court","content":"### 16 Administrator of Magistrates Court\n\n> *\\[Section 16 Subsection (3) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC3@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC3@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC3@Hpa@EN) *\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 46 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 3 \\]*The Minister administering the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) may appoint a State Service officer or State Service employee to be Administrator of the Magistrates Court and that person shall hold that office in conjunction with State Service employment.\n> \n> > (1A)  *\\[Section 16 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 46 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 3 \\]*A person holding the office of Administrator of the Magistrates Court immediately before the commencement of the [Administrative Arrangements (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1990](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1990-005) shall be deemed to hold that office under the provisions of the Principal Act as in force on that commencement and shall continue to hold that office under the same terms and conditions, including remuneration, that applied to that person immediately before that commencement.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 19 and Sched. 1 \\]*[*\\[Section 16 Subsection (2) omitted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 17, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS17@Hpa@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (2A)  *\\[Section 16 Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 15 \\]*The Administrator shall have and may exercise and discharge all such powers, authorities, duties, and functions as may be imposed on or given to a district registrar or a deputy district registrar under this or any other Act.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC3@Hpd@EN) *\\[Section 16 Subsection (3) amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 19 and Sched. 1 \\]*The Administrator shall be responsible to the Secretary of the Department for the control and direction of the staff of the lower courts appointed subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) in the performance of their duties and the exercise of their powers.\n> \n> > (4)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (4) amended by No. 91 of 2001, s. 17, Applied:05 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-05/act-2001-091#GS17@Hpb@EN) [Subsection (3)](#GS16@Gs3@EN) does not apply to police officers acting as coroners' associates.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"16A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registrars","content":"### 16A Registrars\n\n> *\\[Section 16A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 16 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 16A Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC4@Hpd@EN) [*\\[Section 16A Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC4@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Section 16A Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 16A Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-05-01/act-2000-086#JS1@Ja96@GC4@Hpa@EN) *\\[Section 16A Subsection (1) substituted by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*The Minister administering the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) may appoint a State Service officer or State Service employee to be the district registrar in respect of each district registry, and a person or persons appointed or employed under that Act to be a deputy district registrar or deputy district registrars in respect of each district registry, and those persons shall hold office in conjunction with State Service employment.\n> \n> > (2)  A registrar shall have and may exercise and discharge such powers, authorities, duties, and functions as may be specified in this or any other Act.\n> \n> > (3)  Where there is no district registrar or deputy district registrar for a district registry or, for any reason, the district registrar or deputy district registrar is unable to act, the Administrator may authorize a suitable person to perform the duties and exercise the powers of district registrar in respect of that district registry.\n> \n> > (4)  A deputy district registrar or a person authorized under this section to perform the duties of district registrar may exercise any of the powers conferred by this Act or otherwise on the district registrar, and any act or other thing done by or before the deputy district registrar or the person so authorized has the same force and effect as if it were done by or before the district registrar.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"16B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Seals of Court","content":"### 16B Seals of Court\n\n> *\\[Section 16B Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 16 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  The Magistrates Court shall have a seal, the design of which shall be determined by the Attorney-General.\n> \n> > (2)  The seal of the Magistrates Court shall be kept at the office of the Administrator in such custody as the Chief Magistrate directs.\n> \n> > (3)  The district registrar in respect of a district registry shall have in his custody a seal the design of which shall, as nearly as practicable, be the same as the design of the seal of the Magistrates Court, with the addition of such words as the Chief Magistrate directs for the purpose of relating the seal to that district registry.\n> \n> > (4)  A document or a copy of a document sealed with a seal referred to in [subsection (3)](#GS16B@Gs3@EN) is as valid and effectual as if it had been sealed with the seal of the Magistrates Court.\n> \n> > (5)  The seal of the Magistrates Court shall be affixed to documents as provided by or under this or any other Act.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"Part IV","sectionType":"part","heading":"[Part IV Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 17 ]Miscellaneous","content":"# Part IV [Part IV Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 17 ]Miscellaneous","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"16C","sectionType":"section","heading":"Inter-court exchanges","content":"### 16C Inter-court exchanges\n\n> [*\\[Section 16C Inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 14, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS14@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The Chief Magistrate may enter into an arrangement with the Chief Magistrate of another State or a Territory that provides for either or both of the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) a magistrate of this State to serve for a period as a magistrate in that other State or that Territory;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) a magistrate of that other State or that Territory to serve for a period as a magistrate in this State.\n> \n> > (2)  An arrangement under [subsection (1)](#GS16C@Gs1@EN) is to be on such terms, consistent with this Act, as the Chief Magistrate and the other Chief Magistrate determine.\n> \n> > (3)  Notwithstanding [subsection (1)](#GS16C@Gs1@EN) , a person is not eligible to exercise powers or perform functions as a magistrate in this State pursuant to an arrangement entered into under that subsection unless he or she holds an appointment under [section 4(4)](#GS4@Gs4@EN) as a temporary magistrate.","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation","content":"### 17 Delegation\n\n> > (1)  The Chief Magistrate may, by instrument in writing, delegate to a magistrate the performance or exercise of such of the functions and powers of the Chief Magistrate (other than this power of delegation) under this Act or any other Act as are specified in the instrument, and may, by instrument in writing, revoke wholly or in part any such delegation.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 17 Subsection (2) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \\]*The Administrator may, by instrument in writing, delegate to a person employed in the Department the performance or exercise of such of the functions and powers of the Administrator (other than this power of delegation) as are specified in the instrument, and may, by instrument in writing, revoke wholly or in part any such delegation.\n> \n> > (3)  A function or power, the performance or exercise of which has been delegated under this section, may, while the delegation remains unrevoked, be performed or exercised from time to time in accordance with the terms of the delegation.\n> \n> > (4)  A delegation under this section may be made subject to such conditions or limitations as to the performance or exercise of any of the functions or powers delegated, or as to time or circumstances, as are specified in the instrument.\n> \n> > (5)  Notwithstanding any delegation under this section, the Chief Magistrate or the Administrator, as the case may be, may continue to perform or exercise all or any of the functions or powers delegated.\n> \n> > (6)  Any act or thing done by or to a delegate while acting in the exercise of a delegation under this section shall have the same force and effect as if the act or thing had been done by or to the Chief Magistrate or the Administrator, as the case may be, and shall be deemed to have been done by or to the Chief Magistrate or the Administrator, as the case may be.","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"17A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contempt of Court","content":"### 17A Contempt of Court\n\n> *\\[Section 17A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 18 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  If a person –\n> > \n> > > > (a) wilfully misbehaves himself before the Magistrates Court sitting in exercise of its jurisdiction under this or any other Act;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) wilfully interrupts or obstructs any proceedings before the Court; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) is guilty of wilful prevarication in giving evidence before the Court –\n> > \n> > that person shall be deemed guilty of contempt of court, and the magistrate sitting in the Court may, by oral order, direct that person to be removed from the Court or other place, and to be taken into custody and may, by warrant, commit that person to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months or may fine him an amount not exceeding 5 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 17A Subsection (2) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 18, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS18@EN) Where a person is guilty of misconduct referred to in [subsection (1)](#GS17A@Gs1@EN) , the magistrate may, if he or she thinks fit, accept an apology for the misconduct, and may remit any penalty or punishment imposed either wholly or in part.","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"17B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Special evidentiary rules","content":"### 17B Special evidentiary rules\n\n> [*\\[Section 17B Inserted by No. 9 of 1999, s. 22, Applied:30 Apr 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-04-30/act-1999-009#GS22@EN) [*\\[Section 17B Amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 15, Applied:25 Sep 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-09-25/act-2003-054#GS15@EN) The majority of the permanent full-time magistrates may make rules of court in respect of any matter relating to the practice and procedure of the lower courts under the [Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-009) .","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"17C","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annual report","content":"### 17C Annual report\n\n> [*\\[Section 17C Inserted by No. 61 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:24 Nov 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-11-24/act-1999-061#JS1@Ja6@GC1@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 17C Subsection (1) amended by No. 13 of 2025, s. 5, Applied:01 Oct 2025\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2025-10-01/act-2025-013#GS5@EN) On or before 31 October in each year, the Chief Magistrate must prepare and provide to the Minister an annual report in respect of the year that ended on the preceding 30 June.\n> \n> > (2)  The annual report –\n> > \n> > > > (a) must include details as to the administration of justice in each lower court during that year; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) may include any other matter that the Chief Magistrate considers appropriate.\n> \n> > (3)  The Minister must cause a copy of the annual report to be laid on the table of each House of Parliament within 10 sitting days after receiving it.","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"### 18 Regulations\n\n> The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provisions","content":"### 19 Transitional provisions\n\n> > (1)  A person holding office as a magistrate at the commencement of this Act is deemed to have been appointed as a magistrate under this Act.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 19 Subsection (2) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 19, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS19@Hpa@EN) Notwithstanding [section 11](#GS11@EN) , a person who is holding office as a magistrate at the commencement of this Act shall not, by virtue of a determination made under [section 11](#GS11@EN) on the commencement of this Act, be stationed in a city or town other than the city or town in which he or she is stationed at that commencement except with that person's consent.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 19 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 19, Applied:01 Jan 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-01-01/act-2007-065#GS19@Hpb@EN) In the case of a person who is holding office as a magistrate at the commencement of this Act, that person's service as a magistrate before that commencement is deemed to be service as a magistrate under this Act for the purpose of calculating his or her entitlements under [section 10](#GS10@EN) .\n> \n> > (4)  The person who is senior magistrate in the Southern Magisterial District immediately before the commencement of this Act is deemed to have been appointed as the Chief Magistrate under this Act.\n> \n> > (5)  The person who is senior magistrate in the Northern Magisterial District immediately before the commencement of this Act is deemed to have been appointed as the Deputy Chief Magistrate under this Act.\n> \n> > (6)  The person who is holding office as Clerk of Petty Sessions and Registrar of the Court of Requests at Hobart immediately before the commencement of this Act is deemed to have been appointed as Administrator of the Magistrates Courts under this Act.\n> \n> > (7)  On and after the commencement of this Act, a reference to a police magistrate or to a stipendiary magistrate in an Act, or in a regulation, rule, by-law, proclamation, order-in-council, order, summons, warrant, notice, or other instrument or document made, issued, given, or filed under or for the purposes of an Act or for the purposes of any legal proceedings shall be read as a reference to a person who is appointed as a magistrate, or is deemed to have been so appointed, under this Act.\n> \n> > (8)  In this section –\n> > \n> > > ***commencement of this Act*** means the day fixed by proclamation under [section 2](#GS2@EN) [(2)](#GS2@Gs2@EN) .","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"19A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional and saving","content":"### 19A Transitional and saving\n\n> > (1)  The person appointed and holding office as the Special Commissioner under the [Court of Requests (Small Claims Division) Act 1985](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) immediately before the proclaimed day is deemed to have been appointed a magistrate under this Act on that day and his or her services as Special Commissioner, for the purposes of [section 4](#GS4@EN) [(2)](#GS4@Gs2@EN) and [(3)](#GS4@Gs3@EN) of this Act, be deemed to be services as an employee within the meaning of the [Tasmanian State Service Act 1984](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1984-025) .\n> \n> > (2)  The person holding office as deputy registrar of the court of requests at Hobart immediately before the proclaimed day is deemed to have been appointed on that day as district registrar of the district registry established under the [Magistrates Amendment Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) which includes Hobart in its area of responsibility.\n> \n> > (3)  The persons holding office as registrar and deputy registrar of the court of requests at Launceston immediately before the proclaimed day are deemed to have been appointed as district registrar and deputy district registrar of the district registry established under the [Magistrates Amendment Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) which includes Launceston in its area of responsibility.\n> \n> > (4)  The persons holding office as registrar and deputy registrar of the court of requests at Devonport immediately before the proclaimed day are deemed to have been appointed as district registrar and deputy district registrar of the district registry established under the [Magistrates Amendment Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) which includes Devonport in its area of responsibility.\n> \n> > (5)  The persons holding office as registrar and deputy registrar of the court of requests at Burnie immediately before the proclaimed day are deemed to have been appointed as district registrar and deputy district registrar of the district registry established under the [Magistrates Amendment Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) which includes Burnie in its area of responsibility.\n> \n> > (6)  In this section, ***proclaimed day*** means the day fixed by proclamation under [section 2 (2) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999#GS2@Gs2@EN) [Magistrates Amendment Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) .","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"19B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provision: membership of committee","content":"### 19B Transitional provision: membership of committee\n\n> [*\\[Section 19B Inserted by No. 6 of 2003, s. 27, Applied:01 Jul 2003\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS27@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  In this section –\n> > \n> > > ***former committee*** means the Rules Committee of Magistrates Court (Civil Division) as constituted under [Division 1 of Part 5 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027#HP5@HD1@EN) [Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027) immediately before the transition day;\n> > \n> > > ***new committee*** means the committee continued by [section 15AC](#GS15AC@EN) under the name \"Magistrates Rule Committee\";\n> > \n> > > ***transition day*** means the day on which [Part 5 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-999#) [Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-999) commences.\n> \n> > (2)  A person who was an appointed member of the former committee immediately before the transition day continues in office on and after that day as a member of the new committee, under and subject to this Act, for the remainder of the term of office set out in the instrument by which the person was appointed to the former committee.","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeals","content":"### 20 Repeals\n\n> The [Magistrates Act 1969](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) and the [Stipendiary Magistrates Act 1972](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) are repealed.\n\n*\n\n**21.**   \n\nSee Schedule 1.*","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"21.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 21.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Consequential Ame","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Consequential Amendments","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Consequential Ame SCHEDULE 1 - Consequential Amendments\n\n[Section 21](#GS21@EN)\n\n> > (a) [Child Welfare Act 1960](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1960-048) ;\n> \n> > (b) [Coroners Act 1957](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1957-001) ;\n> \n> > (c) [Court of Requests (Small Claims Division) Act 1985](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) ;\n> \n> > (d) [Justices Act 1959](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1959-077) ;\n> \n> > (e) [Local Courts Act 1896](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1896-048) ;\n> \n> > (f) [Local Government Act 1962](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) ;\n> \n> > (g) [Statutory Salaries Act 1979](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1979-032) .","sortOrder":45}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited text available, there is no indication of scope change from the original 1987 intent. The Act appears to remain focused on its original purpose of establishing and governing the Tasmanian Magistrates Court. However, nearly 40 years of amendments (as referenced by the Table of Amending Instruments) may have expanded or refined specific provisions — this cannot be confirmed without the full text."},"complexity_factors":["The provided text is largely metadata and status information — the full Act is not included, preventing complete analysis","Court establishment legislation typically involves cross-references to multiple other Acts (criminal procedure, civil procedure, evidence law)","Amendments over nearly 40 years (1987 to 2025) likely create layers of complexity in the current consolidated version","Jurisdictional boundaries between Magistrates Court and higher courts can be nuanced","Despite these factors, Magistrates Court legislation is generally designed to be practically accessible, keeping complexity moderate"],"plain_english_summary":"## Magistrates Court Act 1987 (Tasmania)\n\n**What is this?**\nThis is Tasmania's foundational law that establishes and governs the Magistrates Court — the lowest tier of Tasmania's court system, but the one that most ordinary people are likely to encounter.\n\n**Who does it affect?**\n- Anyone who appears in a Tasmanian Magistrates Court (as a defendant, witness, or party to a civil dispute)\n- Magistrates and court staff in Tasmania\n- Police, lawyers, and others who regularly interact with the court\n- Businesses and individuals involved in minor civil disputes or summary (less serious) criminal matters\n\n**Why does it matter?**\nThe Magistrates Court handles the vast majority of criminal and civil cases in Tasmania — including traffic offences, minor assaults, small civil claims, and other everyday legal matters. This Act sets the rules for how that court is set up, how magistrates are appointed, and how the court operates.\n\n**Important note:** The version provided contains very limited substantive content — it appears to be primarily status and metadata information rather than the full text of the Act. A complete analysis would require the full legislation including all sections and schedules."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Mechanically replaces and consolidates prior magistrates legislation and creates the Magistrates Court with a defined institutional structure and new administrative mechanisms. The Act repeals the Magistrates Act 1969 and the Stipendiary Magistrates Act 1972 (section 20) and, via transitional provisions, converts existing office‑holders into the new offices (section 19 and 19A). It centralises administrative authority in the Chief Magistrate, establishes a Magistrates Rule Committee with rule‑making power, and formalises registries and an Administrator (sections 3A, 15, 15AC, 15AE, 15A, 16)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references between sections (appointments, tenure, administrative powers) increasing navigational complexity (e.g. sections 3A, 3B, 4, 9, 15, 15AE).","Layered delegation and administrative discretion (Chief Magistrate, Administrator, registrars, Rule Committee) with written delegations and continuing powers (sections 15, 17, 15AE(5)).","Hybrid appointment types and flexible work arrangements (permanent full-time, permanent part-time, temporary, written part-time agreements) with separate terms and approval requirements (section 4(1A)–(1F)).","Rule‑making powers that create statutory rules and offences, plus practice directions that are binding unless displaced (sections 15AE, 15AA).","Interlocking administrative and procedural instruments (practice directions, rules, registries, mediators, conferences) that affect litigant process and court staffing (sections 15AA, 15AE, 16A).","Transitional provisions and repeal of predecessor Acts that require mapping of previous roles to new offices (sections 19, 19A, 20).","Financial and employment linkages to other statutes (salary percentages tied to Supreme Court pay, public sector employment and superannuation references) increasing compliance considerations (section 10 and references)."],"plain_english_summary":"What the law does (mechanics)\n\n- Establishes the Magistrates Court of Tasmania as a court of record with statewide jurisdiction and sets out its composition: Chief Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate and magistrates (section 3A).\n- Confers jurisdiction and allows the Court to be organised into divisions; the Chief Magistrate directs in which division a particular proceeding is to be heard when an Act does not specify (section 3B).\n- Sets out how magistrates are appointed, the types of appointment (permanent full‑time, permanent part‑time, temporary), minimum legal qualification (an Australian lawyer of at least 5 years’ standing) and an age limit for permanent full‑time appointment (section 4; section 8).  It also allows written part‑time agreements for full‑time appointees with Attorney‑General approval (section 4(1D)–(1F)).\n- Protects tenure: removal or suspension is only by the Governor on an address from both Houses of Parliament for proved misbehaviour or incapacity; retirement for permanent full‑time magistrates at 75 years (section 9). \n- Prescribes pay and entitlements: permanent full‑time magistrates’ salaries are a percentage of a puisne judge’s salary, permanent part‑time salaries are fixed in instruments of appointment, and magistrates’ pay and allowances are to be paid from the Public Account (section 10(1), (1A), (1B), (7)–(9)).\n- Prohibits magistrates from practising as Australian legal practitioners or holding other occupations that would interfere with judicial duties (section 12). \n- Grants magistrates immunities equivalent to a puisne judge (section 10A) and protects magistrates from being compelled to give evidence about matters learned in judicial functions (section 10B). \n- Gives the Chief Magistrate a range of administrative powers: determining places and times for sittings, allocating work and jurisdictions, issuing practice directions that govern procedure in the lower courts (sections 15, 15AA). Practice directions are binding unless another enactment or rule says otherwise (section 15AA(2)).\n- Continues and defines a Magistrates Rule Committee (composition and nomination process) and authorises that committee to make rules of court (including practice and procedure, enforcement of judgments, mediation, delegation of functions, and creating offences with fines) (sections 15AC, 15AD, 15AE). Rules of court are statutory rules (section 15AE(4)).\n- Provides an Administrator and district registrars to manage registries and court staff, and prescribes custody and use of the Court seals (sections 15A, 16, 16A, 16B). \n- Allows delegation by the Chief Magistrate and by the Administrator to specified persons, while preserving the ability of the delegator to continue to act (section 17). \n- Creates summary contempt powers for magistrates to deal with misbehaviour in court (oral order, removal, imprisonment up to 3 months, fine up to 5 penalty units) and permits acceptance of apologies and remission of penalties (section 17A). \n- Permits arrangements for magistrates to serve in other States/Territories and vice versa on agreed terms, but persons must hold a temporary appointment to exercise magistrate powers under such arrangements (section 16C). \n- Contains transitional provisions and repeals predecessor Acts (sections 19, 19A, 19B, 20). \n\nWhy it matters (official purpose-claims and their practical mechanics)\n\n- The instrument sets out the institutional form and internal governance of the lower criminal and civil courts (the Magistrates Court and other lower courts it references). It claims, by its structure, to centralise administration (Chief Magistrate, Administrator, registries) and to standardise practice and procedure through practice directions and rules (sections 15, 15AA, 15AE). Those mechanisms are the law’s means of producing consistent court operation: the Chief Magistrate decides divisions and allocations (section 3B, 15), the Magistrates Rule Committee drafts rules (section 15AC, 15AE), and practice directions fill procedural detail (section 15AA).\n\nWho pays, who decides, and who bears costs\n\n- Who pays: magistrates’ salaries and allowances are paid out of the Public Account (section 10(7)–(9)). Salary levels for permanent full‑time magistrates are expressed as proportions of a Supreme Court puisne judge’s salary (section 10(1)). Any fines created in rules are monetary instruments against persons who contravene rules (section 15AE(3)(c)–(d)).\n- Who decides: the Governor formally appoints magistrates (section 4); the Chief Magistrate has substantial operational discretion over divisions, assignments, practice directions, and administrative coordination (sections 3B, 15, 15AA); the Magistrates Rule Committee makes statutory rules (sections 15AC, 15AE); and the Administrator and registrars run registries and staff (sections 16, 16A).\n- Who bears costs: the State budget funds judicial salaries and allowances (section 10(7)–(9)). Litigants and court users bear compliance costs imposed by practice directions, rules, or procedures (sections 15AA, 15AE), and may face fines for rule contraventions (section 15AE(3)(d)).\n\nIncentives, compliance burden, discretion and trade‑offs (as shown in the Act)\n\n- Incentives and staffing: the Act anchors magistrates’ pay to Supreme Court salaries (section 10(1)), and allows part‑time arrangements and temporary appointments (section 4(1A)–(1F), 4(4)), which creates flexibility in staffing but requires written agreements and Attorney‑General approval for some variations (section 4(1D)–(1F)).\n- Compliance burden: practice directions are binding on lower court practice and procedure (section 15AA(2)). Rules of court are statutory instruments and may prescribe procedure, mediation, delegation of judicial administrative tasks, and may create offences with fines up to 10 penalty units and additional continuing fines (section 15AE(2)–(3)(d)). Those provisions give the Court formal tools to shape litigant behaviour but also impose potential compliance costs on parties and court staff.\n- Discretion and concentration of decision‑making: the Chief Magistrate exercises wide discretion—assigning magistrates to divisions, directing where matters are heard, issuing practice directions, and coordinating administration (sections 3B(3)–(6), 15, 15AA). The Magistrates Rule Committee may delegate many functions to the Chief Magistrate (section 15AE(5)). Delegation provisions also allow the Administrator to delegate to departmental staff (section 17). These mechanisms speed administrative decision‑making but concentrate operational authority in named office‑holders.\n- Enforcement and judicial control: the Act provides for summary contempt powers in court (section 17A) and immunities for magistrates equivalent to Supreme Court judges (section 10A). Magistrates are not compellable witnesses about things learned in judicial functions (section 10B). Those rules protect judicial functioning and affect evidentiary processes.\n\nImplementation risk, opportunity costs and substitution effects (mechanisms, not judgements)\n\n- Implementation relies on administrative capacity: the Chief Magistrate, Administrator, registrars and the Magistrates Rule Committee must produce practice directions and rules and manage registries (sections 15, 16, 15AA, 15AE). If those bodies do not create clear rules or staffing, consistency of court operations depends on ad hoc administrative choices.\n- Opportunity cost: salaries and allowances are appropriated from the Public Account (section 10(7)–(9)); public resources used for court administration are therefore not available for other public services.\n- Substitution effects: the Act allows use of temporary magistrates and interstate exchanges (sections 4(4), 16C), which substitutes for appointing additional permanent magistrates and provides a mechanism to fill short‑term gaps or provide specialist coverage.\n\nConcrete checks and constraints set by the Act\n\n- Appointment and removal: Governor appointment (section 4) balanced by strong removal protection requiring parliamentary address for proven misbehaviour or incapacity (section 9(1)).\n- Rule‑making oversight: rules of court are statutory instruments (section 15AE(4)), and the Magistrates Rule Committee’s membership includes judicial officers and nominated legal profession representatives (section 15AC(2)(a)–(e)).\n- Delegation boundaries: delegations must be in writing; delegators may continue to act; delegations can be limited as to conditions or time (section 17).\n\nSelected provisions to consult for detail: sections 3A, 3B, 4, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 10B, 12, 15, 15AA, 15AC, 15AE, 16, 16A, 16B, 17, 17A, 19, 20.\n\nThis summary describes what the Act does and how its main mechanisms operate. It draws directly on the Act’s text to identify who decides, who pays, where discretion lies, what compliance burdens are authorised, and what administrative arrangements the Act requires."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 1987 purpose of simply establishing a Magistrates Court. Through 30+ amendments over nearly four decades, it has absorbed: (1) complex superannuation arrangements that were repeatedly restructured (2000, 2005, 2016); (2) detailed administrative machinery for court registries and the Administrator role; (3) a comprehensive rule-making framework with the Magistrates Rule Committee (2003); (4) inter-jurisdictional exchange arrangements with other states (2003); (5) modern evidentiary procedures for audio-visual links (1999); and (6) professional development and annual reporting obligations. The original Act was a court-establishment statute; it now functions as a combined judicial appointments, employment conditions, administrative management, and procedural rules framework."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendment layers: 30+ amendment references embedded throughout the text (e.g., 'Amended by No. 13 of 1989', 'Amended by No. 54 of 2003'), creating visual clutter and version-control complexity","Nested definitions: Section 3 contains 12+ defined terms with cross-references to other Acts (Coroners Act 1995, Justices Act 1959, Valuation of Land Act 2001, etc.)","Conditional appointment structures: Section 4 has 7 subsections (1A–1G) creating parallel tracks for permanent full-time, permanent part-time, and temporary magistrates with different rules for each","Transitional provisions spread across three sections (19, 19A, 19B) dealing with different historical transition points (1987 commencement, 1989 amendments, 2003 rule changes)","Delegated legislation framework: Part IIA establishes a committee with complex membership rules (Section 15AC), meeting procedures (Section 15AD), and broad rule-making powers (Section 15AE) that interact with other enactments","Cross-referencing between multiple Acts: Heavy reliance on external statutes (State Service Act 2000, Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016, Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1999, etc.) for operational details","Omitted provisions: Multiple subsections marked as omitted (e.g., Section 4(7)–(10)) creating gaps in the logical sequence that require historical knowledge to understand"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThis Act establishes and governs the **Magistrates Court of Tasmania** — the state's lower court that handles less serious criminal matters, civil disputes, and other legal proceedings.\n\n**Key things it covers:**\n\n*   **Creates the court** — Establishes the Magistrates Court as a single, unified court of record with jurisdiction across Tasmania (Section 3A).\n*   **Appoints judges** — Sets out how magistrates are appointed, including the Chief Magistrate (the boss) and Deputy Chief Magistrate. It allows for full-time, part-time, and temporary appointments (Sections 4–6).\n*   **Sets qualifications** — Magistrates must be Australian lawyers with at least 5 years' experience and must be under 75 years old (Section 8).\n*   **Protects independence** — Magistrates can only be removed by Parliament for \"proved misbehaviour or incapacity\" — they can't be sacked by the government of the day (Section 9).\n*   **Organises the court** — The Chief Magistrate assigns magistrates to different **divisions** (specialised sections) of the court, decides where courts sit, and issues practice directions (Sections 3B, 15, 15AA).\n*   **Sets pay and conditions** — Magistrates get salaries linked to Supreme Court judges (67.5% to 75% depending on rank), plus superannuation, long service leave, and workers compensation (Section 10).\n*   **Creates a rule-making committee** — The \"Magistrates Rule Committee\" (made up of magistrates and lawyers) can make court rules about procedures, mediation, and enforcement (Part IIA).\n*   **Protects magistrates** — Gives magistrates the same legal immunities as Supreme Court judges and stops them being forced to give evidence about cases they've heard (Sections 10A, 10B).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n*   Anyone appearing in the Magistrates Court (criminal defendants, people in civil disputes, traffic matters)\n*   Lawyers practising in Tasmania\n*   The magistrates themselves and court staff\n*   The Tasmanian Government (which funds the court)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis is the foundational law for Tasmania's busiest court. Most people who interact with the justice system — whether for a minor criminal charge, a neighbourhood dispute, or a small debt — will appear in this court. The Act ensures the court runs fairly, independently, and efficiently."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987","history":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987/history","analysis":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/magistrates-court-act-1987/documents"}}