The Act establishes the Magistrates Court of Tasmania as a court of record with statewide jurisdiction, sets magistrates’ appointment, tenure, pay and conflicts rules, and centralises administration under a Chief Magistrate, Administrator and registries. It empowers binding practice directions and statutory rules via a Magistrates Rule Committee, creates summary contempt powers, and allows temporary and interstate magistrate arrangements. It affects magistrates, court staff, litigants and the State (which funds salaries from the Public Account) by concentrating operational discretion and standardising lower‑court procedure.
This Act establishes the Magistrates Court of Tasmania and sets out its constitution, jurisdictional framework, personnel arrangements, administration, rule-making powers, and a range of transitional and consequential provisions. Mechanically, the Act does the following (key provisions cited):
Creates the Magistrates Court as a court of record with jurisdiction throughout the State and specifies that the Court consists of the Chief Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate and magistrates (s 3A(1)-(3)).
Confers jurisdiction that is derived from this Act and any other Act, and requires the Court to operate in divisions for the organisation of business (s 3B(1)-(2)); the Chief Magistrate directs in which division a particular jurisdiction is to be exercised where not specified by the enabling Act (s 3B(3)).
Provides the appointment architecture for magistrates: Governor may appoint magistrates and may appoint temporary magistrates for specified purposes and terms (s 4(1), (4)); establishes permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time categories and sets maximum terms for part‑time appointments (ss 4(1A)-(1C)); sets eligibility conditions (s 8).
Prescribes the offices of Chief Magistrate and Deputy Chief Magistrate and their appointment by the Governor from among permanent full‑time magistrates, and confirms who acts when either is absent (ss 5-6).
Specifies pre‑conditions to exercise of office (judicial oath under the Promissory Oaths Act 2015, s 7(1)-(2)), tenure and removal rules (s 9), and limits on outside employment for magistrates (s 12).
Fixes terms and conditions: salaries as proportions of a puisne judge’s salary for permanent full‑time magistrates (s 10(1)); treatment as an employee for certain statutory purposes including long service leave, superannuation and workers compensation where specified (s 10(1B), (2)-(4)); payment from Public Account (s 10(7)-(9)).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Magistrates Court Act 1987.
46
Part I
[Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary
Part I [Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary
Administrator of the Magistrates Court or Administrator means the person who is appointed as Administrator of the Magistrates Court pursuant to section 16 ;
Chief Magistrate means the person who is appointed as Chief Magistrate pursuant to section 5 ;
coroner means a coroner within the meaning of the Coroners Act 1995 ;
Deputy Chief Magistrate means the person who is appointed as Deputy Chief Magistrate pursuant to section 6(1) , and includes an acting Deputy Chief Magistrate temporarily appointed pursuant to section 6(7) ;
division means a division of the Magistrates Court;
function includes duty;
lower courts means –
(a) the Magistrates Court;
(b) courts of summary jurisdiction within the meaning of the Justices Act 1959 ;
magistrate means a person who is appointed as a magistrate pursuant to section 4 , and includes a person who, by virtue of section 19(1) , is deemed to have been so appointed;
Magistrates Court means the Magistrates Court of Tasmania established by this Act;
[Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court
Part II [Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court
3A
Creation of the Magistrates Court
3A Creation of the Magistrates Court
[Section 3A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 ]
(1) There is established by this Act a court to be known as the Magistrates Court of Tasmania.
(2) The Magistrates Court is a court of record and shall have jurisdiction throughout the State.
(3) The Magistrates Court consists of the Chief Magistrate, the Deputy Chief Magistrate, and the magistrates.
3B
Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court
3B Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court
[Section 3B Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 ]
(1) The Magistrates Court shall have such jurisdictions as are conferred on it by or under this Act or any other Act.
(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.
(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.
(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) , 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.
(6) [Section 3B Subsection (6) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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.
(1D) [Section 4 Subsection (1D) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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.
(1E) [Section 4 Subsection (1E) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] An agreement under subsection (1D) 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.
(3) The Deputy Chief Magistrate shall act in the office of the Chief Magistrate during –
(a) an absence from duty of the Chief Magistrate; or
(b) a vacancy in the office of Chief Magistrate.
(4) [Section 6 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 11, Applied:01 Jan 2008] *[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.
(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.
(6) The Deputy Chief Magistrate may resign from the office of Deputy Chief Magistrate but still retain the office of magistrate.
(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 thePromissory Oaths Act 2015 , taken and subscribed the judicial oath.
(1) [Section 8 Subsection (1) amended by No. 66 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2008] *[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.
(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.
(2) Except as provided by subsection (1) , the Governor shall not suspend a magistrate or remove a magistrate from office.
(3) A magistrate shall be deemed to have vacated the office of magistrate if –
(1B) [Section 10 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 9, Applied:25 Sep 2003] 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.
*[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 theSupreme Court Act 1887 .
10B
Magistrates not required to give evidence in certain cases
10B Magistrates not required to give evidence in certain cases
(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 –
(i) the office of magistrate; or
(ii) any office lawfully held by the magistrate in conjunction with, or by virtue of, holding the office of magistrate.
13
Jurisdiction and powers of magistrates
13 Jurisdiction and powers of magistrates
[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 ]
(1) A magistrate has jurisdiction as a magistrate throughout the State.
(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.
(4) [Section 13 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 16, Applied:01 Jan 2008] *[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.
14
Jurisdiction and powers of Chief Magistrate
14 Jurisdiction and powers of Chief Magistrate
(1) The Chief Magistrate has jurisdiction as Chief Magistrate throughout the State.
Arrangement of business of courts, and administrative matters
15 Arrangement of business of courts, and administrative matters
(1) [Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001] *[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.
(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.
(8) [Section 15 Subsection (8) inserted by No. 91 of 2001, s. 15, Applied:05 Dec 2001] 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.
(a) issue such practice directions in relation to the practice and procedure of the lower courts as the Chief Magistrate thinks fit; and
(b) vary or revoke any such practice directions; and
(c) publish any such practice directions as the Chief Magistrate thinks fit.
(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.
(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.
(2) For this section,
lower court staff includes the Administrator and the district registrars and deputy district registrars.
(e) a person appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Law Society of Tasmania.
(3) The Minister may require the body referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) to nominate a person within a specified period (being a period not less than 30 days).
(4) If the body fails to nominate a person within that period, the Minister may make the nomination.
(5) If the body referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) changes its name, the Governor may, by order, amend the relevant paragraph by substituting the body's new name.
(6) If the body referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection (2) 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.
(7) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the body referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection (2) , appoint a deputy of the committee member referred to in the relevant paragraph.
(8) If the committee member referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) 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.
(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.
(10) A committee member referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) and any deputy of that member holds office for the term set out in his or her instrument of appointment.
(1) Meetings of the Magistrates Rule Committee are to be convened by or on the direction of the Chief Magistrate.
(2) The quorum for a meeting of the committee is 8, of whom one is to be the Chief Magistrate or Deputy Chief Magistrate.
(3) If the presiding member is unable to attend a meeting of the committee, the Deputy Chief Magistrate must preside at the meeting.
(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.
(5) Except as provided by this section, the committee may regulate its own proceedings.
(1) The Magistrates Rule Committee may make rules of court for all or any of the following:
(a) the divisions of the Magistrates Court;
(b) courts of summary jurisdiction;
(c) except as may be provided by any Act, other lower courts;
(d) except as may be provided by any Act, special proceedings.
(2) Rules made under subsection (1) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may, subject to any relevant enactment –
(a) regulate the practice and procedure of that court or division or those proceedings; and
(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
(c) make provision for or in relation to mediation and conciliation conferences including, but not limited to, the following matters:
(i) the appointment of mediators and conciliators and their powers and functions;
(ii) the conduct of such conferences and associated procedures;
(iii) the consequences of such conferences or the failure of such conferences; and
(d) make provision for or in relation to any other matters as expressly or impliedly authorised by that enactment; and
(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.
(a) rules of court may be made for, or with respect to –
(i) the practice and procedure of a magistrate in determining a minor civil claim; and
(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
(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
(c) rules made for the purpose of paragraph (b) may –
(i) prescribe the purpose for which a conference referred to in that paragraph is to be held; and
(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
(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
(iv) provide for, or with respect to, the adjournment of a conference; and
(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.
(3) Rules made under subsection (1) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may –
(a) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by –
(i) the Chief Magistrate, a magistrate or coroner or other judicial officer specified in the rules; and
(ii) the Administrator, a registrar or other court official specified in the rules; and
(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
(c) provide that a contravention of any of the rules is an offence; and
(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
(5) The committee may delegate any of its functions or powers, other than this power of delegation, to the Chief Magistrate.
(6) In this section –
relevant enactment means –
(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
(b) any other enactment having application to that court or division or to those proceedings;
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.
Part III
[Part III Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 13 ]Registries, Officers, and Seal
Part III [Part III Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 13 ]Registries, Officers, and Seal
(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 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.
(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.
(3) [Section 16 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001] *[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 in the performance of their duties and the exercise of their powers.
(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.
(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.
(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.
16B
Seals of Court
16B Seals of Court
[Section 16B Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 16 ]
(1) The Magistrates Court shall have a seal, the design of which shall be determined by the Attorney-General.
(2) The seal of the Magistrates Court shall be kept at the office of the Administrator in such custody as the Chief Magistrate directs.
(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.
(4) A document or a copy of a document sealed with a seal referred to in subsection (3) is as valid and effectual as if it had been sealed with the seal of the Magistrates Court.
(5) The seal of the Magistrates Court shall be affixed to documents as provided by or under this or any other Act.
Part IV
[Part IV Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 17 ]Miscellaneous
Part IV [Part IV Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 17 ]Miscellaneous
(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:
(a) a magistrate of this State to serve for a period as a magistrate in that other State or that Territory;
(b) a magistrate of that other State or that Territory to serve for a period as a magistrate in this State.
(2) An arrangement under subsection (1) is to be on such terms, consistent with this Act, as the Chief Magistrate and the other Chief Magistrate determine.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) , 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) as a temporary magistrate.
17
Delegation
17 Delegation
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
17A
Contempt of Court
17A Contempt of Court
[Section 17A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 18 ]
(1) If a person –
(a) wilfully misbehaves himself before the Magistrates Court sitting in exercise of its jurisdiction under this or any other Act;
(b) wilfully interrupts or obstructs any proceedings before the Court; or
(c) is guilty of wilful prevarication in giving evidence before the Court –
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.
(a) must include details as to the administration of justice in each lower court during that year; and
(b) may include any other matter that the Chief Magistrate considers appropriate.
(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.
18
Regulations
18 Regulations
The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.
19
Transitional provisions
19 Transitional provisions
(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.
(2) [Section 19 Subsection (2) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 19, Applied:01 Jan 2008] Notwithstanding section 11 , 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 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.
(3) [Section 19 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 19, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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 .
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(8) In this section –
commencement of this Act means the day fixed by proclamation under section 2(2) .
19A
Transitional and saving
19A Transitional and saving
(1) The person appointed and holding office as the Special Commissioner under the Court of Requests (Small Claims Division) Act 1985 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(2) and (3) of this Act, be deemed to be services as an employee within the meaning of the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984 .
(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 which includes Hobart in its area of responsibility.
(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 which includes Launceston in its area of responsibility.
(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 which includes Devonport in its area of responsibility.
(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 which includes Burnie in its area of responsibility.
(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.
Sourced from Tasmanian Legislation Online (legislation.tas.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Part I [Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary
Part I [Part I Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 5 ]Preliminary
1 Short title
1 Short title
*[Section 1 Amended by No. 13 of 1989, s. 6 ]*This Act may be cited as the Magistrates Court Act 1987 .
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
(1) This section and section 1 shall commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) , this Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
3 Interpretation
3 Interpretation
*[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][Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017]
Administrator of the Magistrates Court or Administrator means the person who is appointed as Administrator of the Magistrates Court pursuant to section 16 ;
Chief Magistrate means the person who is appointed as Chief Magistrate pursuant to section 5 ;
[Section 3 Amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 25, Applied:01 Jul 2003]committee means the committee continued in existence by section 15AC under the name "Magistrates Rule Committee";
[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000]complying superannuation scheme means a complying superannuation fund as provided by the law of the Commonwealth;
Confers immunities on magistrates equal to those of puisne judges under the Supreme Court Act (s 10A) and excludes magistrates as compellable witnesses for matters that came to their knowledge in performing judicial functions (s 10B).
Provides administrative architecture: Governor may establish registries (s 15A); the Minister may appoint an Administrator of the Magistrates Court and district registrars and deputy district registrars as State Service officers (ss 16, 16A); the Court has a seal and district registry seals (s 16B).
Establishes the Magistrates Rule Committee, its membership (including Bar and Law Society nominees) and powers to make rules of court (ss 15AC, 15AE); practice directions may be issued by the Chief Magistrate and have effect unless displaced by statute or rules (s 15AA). Rules of court are statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act (s 15AE(4)).
Authorises delegations by the Chief Magistrate and Administrator and validates acts by delegates (s 17).
Creates statutory contempt powers in the lower courts, with immediate removal, custodial and fine penalties for wilful misbehaviour, interruption or perjury (s 17A).
Provides for court practice innovations such as mediation, conferences and registrar‑run conferences in respect of minor civil claims, all within rule‑making powers (s 15AE(2)-(2A)).
Enables the Governor to make regulations for the Act (s 18) and contains various transitional and saving provisions dealing with the continuity of prior office‑holders and the repeal of earlier Acts (ss 19, 19A-19B, 20; Schedule 1).
The Act therefore operates both as the constituting statute for the Magistrates Court and as the core regulatory framework governing how lower‑court practice and administration are controlled, including a delegated rule‑making regime (Magistrates Rule Committee) and operational instruments for the Chief Magistrate (practice directions, allocation of business). The statutory architecture places significant organisation and operational discretion with the Chief Magistrate and the Magistrates Rule Committee (s 3B(3)-(4); ss 15AA, 15AE). The Act also preserves institutional protections and employment‑related arrangements for magistrates (ss 9-10, 16).
The Act contains many cross‑references to other statutes that determine the practical effect of its provisions: for example, immunities reference the Supreme Court Act (s 10A), oath requirements reference the Promissory Oaths Act 2015 (s 7), and a number of provisions treat magistrates as employees for the purposes of particular employment and benefits statutes (s 4(6); s 10(1B), (2)-(4)). The rules made under the Act are statutory rules and therefore fall to the statutory publication and oversight regime under the Rules Publication Act (s 15AE(4)).
Main concepts
The Act organises lower‑court adjudication around three interlocking institutional concepts: a single Magistrates Court that exercises delegated jurisdictions, a centralised operational leadership (Chief Magistrate) backed by rule‑making through a committee, and a State Service administrative support structure. Those concepts appear in particular provisions:
Single court with divisions: s 3A establishes the court and s 3B requires the Court to exercise its jurisdictions in divisions. Divisions are the unit for institution, hearing and determination of proceedings (s 3B(2)). Where another Act confers jurisdiction without specifying a division, the Chief Magistrate decides the appropriate division (s 3B(3)). This design separates the statutory grant of substantive jurisdiction from organisational allocation. The Chief Magistrate’s power to assign magistrates to divisions is a central allocation instrument (s 3B(4)-(6)).
Concentration of procedural and administrative rule‑making: the Magistrates Rule Committee (s 15AC) and its rule‑making power (s 15AE) centralise procedural law for the lower courts. The committee’s remit explicitly includes practice and procedure, enforcement of judgments, mediation and conciliation frameworks, and incidental matters (s 15AE(2)-(2A), (2)(c)). Rules may authorise administrative delegation to registrars and other court officers and may create offences (s 15AE(3)(a), (c)-(d)). The rules are statutory rules (s 15AE(4)), which places them in a recognised delegated‑legislation regime. The Chief Magistrate retains practice‑direction power (s 15AA) that binds the lower courts except where statute or rules provide otherwise (s 15AA(2)). Practitioners therefore face a mixed regime of statute, statutory rules and practice directions.
Employment and exclusion principles for judicial officers: the Act sets eligibility, tenure, and restrictions on outside work. Eligibility requires an Australian lawyer with not less than five years’ standing (s 8(1)); there is an age limit for appointment at 75 (s 8(2)), with exceptions for certain part‑time or temporary appointments (s 8(3)). Tenure protections include removal only by the Governor on addresses from both Houses of Parliament for proved misbehaviour or incapacity (s 9(1)-(2)), while mandatory retirement at 75 is specified for permanent full‑time magistrates (s 9(4)(a)). Magistrates must not practise as legal practitioners or engage in occupations that might reasonably be expected to interfere with their judicial duties (s 12). The Act layers employment treatment (superannuation, long service leave, workers compensation) in cross‑reference to other statutes (s 4(6); s 10(1B), (2)-(4)).
Administrative infrastructure: Governor‑established district registries (s 15A) and an Administrator with functions akin to a district registrar (s 16, 16A). The Administrator is a State Service officer (s 16(1)) and responsible to the Secretary of the Department for court staff management (s 16(3)). District registrars have statutory powers and may be backed by deputies; the Administrator can authorise others to act where registrars are absent (s 16A(2)-(3)). The Court and district registries have seals with prescribed custody arrangements (s 16B).
Enforcement and judicial order tools: contempt powers exist for wilful misbehaviour, interruption or perjury with immediate removal and a range of penalties (s 17A). Rules of court may create offences with fines up to 10 penalty units and daily penalties for continuing offences (s 15AE(3)(c)-(d)). Magistrates have immunities equivalent to puisne judges (s 10A) and are not compellable witnesses for matters learned in their judicial function (s 10B).
Together, these concepts create a framework where substantive jurisdiction is derived from underlying statutes while the Court exercises a high degree of internal procedural self‑regulation through rules and practice directions, with clear lines of administrative responsibility vested in the Administrator and registrars. The Act therefore delineates who decides practice (Magistrates Rule Committee and Chief Magistrate), who administers (Administrator, registrars), who adjudicates (magistrates), and how delegated instruments are to be published and given statutory force (s 15AE(4)).
Who it affects
The Act’s mechanics affect a broad set of actors; the principal affected parties and the provisions that govern their position are listed below.
Magistrates: the persons who are appointed under s 4 and who form the judicial composition of the Magistrates Court (s 3A(3), s 13(1)). Magistrates’ eligibility and appointment terms are governed by ss 4 and 8, including categories of permanent full‑time, permanent part‑time and temporary magistrates (s 4(1A)-(1C), (4)-(6)). Magistrates’ remuneration, leave entitlements and employment characterisation for certain statutory purposes are set out in s 10. The Act also restricts magistrates from practising as legal practitioners and from holding other work that interferes with the role (s 12). Immunities and witness status are addressed in ss 10A and 10B.
Chief Magistrate and Deputy Chief Magistrate: both are permanent full‑time magistrates appointed by the Governor (ss 5(1), 6(1)); the Chief Magistrate directs division allocation (s 3B(3)-(4)), determines court places annually and administrative procedures (s 15(1), (6)), issues practice directions (s 15AA) and is responsible for professional development (s 15AB). The Deputy acts in the Chief’s absence (s 6(3)-(5)).
Administrator: appointed from the State Service and responsible for management and staff direction in the lower courts, with delegated powers similar to those of district registrars (s 16(1), (2A), (3)). The Administrator reports to the Secretary of the Department for the control and direction of staff (s 16(3)).
Registrars and deputy district registrars: appointed as State Service officers (s 16A(1)), with statutory powers to act in district registries (s 16A(2)-(4)); deputies and authorised persons act with full effect where registrars are absent. Custody and use of registry seals falls to district registrars (s 16B(3)).
Magistrates Rule Committee members: comprises the Chief Magistrate (presiding), Deputy Chief Magistrate, permanent full‑time magistrates, and two external appointees nominated by The Tasmanian Bar and the Law Society of Tasmania (s 15AC(2)(a)-(e)). The Minister appoints the Bar and Law Society nominees and may require nominations (s 15AC(3)-(4)), and deputies may be appointed and act in place of nominees (s 15AC(6)-(9)). The committee sets procedural rules that directly shape court practice (s 15AE).
Legal practitioners and litigants: the Act’s procedural regime and rule‑making powers (ss 15AA, 15AE) determine filing, practice, mediation and enforcement processes that affect litigants and lawyers. The Act also prohibits magistrates from continuing legal practice (s 12). Minor civil claim procedures and conferences are specifically addressable under the rule‑making power (s 15AE(2A)).
The Minister, Governor and Attorney‑General: executive actors with appointment powers (Governor appoints magistrates, s 4(1); Minister appoints Administrator and committee nominees, s 16(1), s 15AC(2)(d)-(e)); Attorney‑General determines stationing for permanent full‑time magistrates and approves part‑time agreements (s 11(1); s 4(1D)-(1F)).
Other jurisdictions and magistrates of other States or Territories: the Chief Magistrate may craft inter‑court exchange arrangements with counterpart Chief Magistrates elsewhere, subject to the restriction that visiting magistrates must hold temporary appointments under s 4(4) to exercise powers in this State (s 16C(1)-(3)).
Court staff: lower court staff are employed under the State Service regime and are managed by the Administrator; the Chief Magistrate acts as Head of a State Service Agency for magistrates in relation to leave entitlements (s 16(3); s 10(5)-(6)).
Who pays and who decides: salaries and allowances for the Chief Magistrate, Deputy Chief Magistrate and magistrates are paid out of the Public Account (s 10(7)-(9)); the Governor, the Minister and the Attorney‑General make key appointment and allocation decisions (ss 4, 5, 6, 11, 15AC). Who bears compliance costs: magistrates (for oath requirements s 7), registrars (for seal custody s 16B), parties and practitioners (for adherence to rules, practice directions and any rule‑created offences s 15AE(3)), and the State (for payments, administration and payments from Public Account s 10(7)-(9)). The rule committee includes representative appointees, which creates a structured role for professional bodies to influence rules (s 15AC(2)(d)-(e), (3)-(4)).
Key duties and rights
This Act sets out discrete statutory duties, administrative responsibilities and rights for the Court, judicial officers and administrative personnel. The principal duties and rights are as follows, with direct section references.
Duties and powers of judicial officers
Magistrates: exercise jurisdiction throughout the State and perform all jurisdiction, powers and functions conferred under State law (s 13(1), (3)). A magistrate is, by virtue of office, a justice (s 13(2)). Magistrates must take the judicial oath under the Promissory Oaths Act before performing functions if appointed after that Act’s commencement (s 7(1)-(2)). Magistrates must not practise as legal practitioners or hold other occupations where those activities interfere with judicial functions (s 12).
Chief Magistrate: assigns magistrates to divisions (s 3B(4)-(6)); determines places where lower courts may sit annually (s 15(1)); determines jurisdictions exercised by each lower court in consultation with the Administrator (s 15(4)); ensures orderly, expeditious discharge of business and determines administrative procedures to minimise delay (s 15(6)); issues practice directions that govern practice and procedure unless statute or rules provide otherwise (s 15AA(1)-(2)); responsible for professional development programs (s 15AB(1)). The Chief Magistrate may also be delegated rule‑making elements by the Magistrates Rule Committee (s 15AE(3)(a)).
Deputy Chief Magistrate: exercises functions as directed by the Chief Magistrate and acts in Chief’s office during absence or vacancy, with full authority and remuneration (s 6(2)-(5)). Any acts while acting in the Chief’s office are deemed to have been done by the Chief Magistrate (s 6(5)).
Administrative duties and powers
Administrator: appointed from the State Service (s 16(1)); has powers and duties of a district registrar or deputy district registrar, and is responsible to the Secretary of the Department for the control and direction of lower court staff (s 16(2A), (3)).
District registrars and deputies: are State Service appointees (s 16A(1)); have the powers specified in this or other Acts (s 16A(2)); can be substituted or have deputies authorised to perform duties where necessary (s 16A(3)-(4)). Custody and use of district seals resides with the district registrar subject to Chief Magistrate directions (s 16B(2)-(3)).
Magistrates Rule Committee: must be convened by the Chief Magistrate (s 15AD(1)); quorum is eight including Chief or Deputy Chief Magistrate (s 15AD(2)); has delegated authority to make rules of court covering practice, procedure, enforcement, mediation processes and ancillary matters (s 15AE(1)-(3)); rules may create offences with specified fines and are statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act (s 15AE(3)(c)-(d), (4)). The committee may delegate functions to the Chief Magistrate save for its power of delegation (s 15AE(5)). Membership includes legal profession nominees with nomination procedures managed by the Minister (s 15AC(2)-(4)).
Rights and protections
Immunity and witness status: magistrates have the same immunities as puisne judges under the Supreme Court Act (s 10A) and are not compellable witnesses in respect of anything that came to their knowledge performing judicial functions (s 10B).
Employment rights: a person who was a State Service officer or employee and is appointed as a magistrate retains existing and accruing State Service rights as if service as magistrate were a continuation of State Service employment (s 4(2)). A magistrate is, for certain statutory purposes, an employee under relevant statutory schemes (s 4(6); s 10(1B), (2)-(4)). Salaries and allowances are established (s 10(1)-(1B), (1AA)) and paid from the Public Account (s 10(7)-(9)).
Security of tenure: removal or suspension only by the Governor on addresses from both Houses for proved misbehaviour or incapacity (s 9(1)-(2)); deemed vacation triggers include bankruptcy and inability to perform duties (s 9(3)) and mandatory retirement for permanent full‑time magistrates at 75 (s 9(4)(a)). Temporary magistrates are subject to different terms, and certain protections and provisions do not apply to temporary appointees (s 4(4)-(5)).
Procedural primacy and binding practice: practice directions issued by the Chief Magistrate govern practice and procedure of the lower courts unless otherwise provided by statute, rules or statutory instruments (s 15AA(2)). Rules made by the Magistrates Rule Committee carry statutory rule status and may have the force of law (s 15AE(4)); they may authorise delegation to registrars and other court officers (s 15AE(3)(a)).
Obligations to report and publish
Annual report: the Chief Magistrate must prepare and provide an annual report to the Minister by 31 October each year covering administration of justice in each lower court (s 17C(1)-(3)).
Rules and practice directions: rules are statutory rules (s 15AE(4)) and practice directions may be published at the Chief Magistrate’s discretion (s 15AA(1)(c)). The making and publication of instruments is therefore subject to the applicable publication and tabling regimes.
These duties and rights allocate decision‑making power between executive appointment authorities (Governor, Minister, Attorney‑General), judicial leadership (Chief Magistrate), a representative rule committee (Magistrates Rule Committee) and administrative actors (Administrator, registrars). The Act creates structured channels for operational governance while preserving statutory tenure and immunity protections for magistrates.
Penalties and enforcement
The Act provides specific penal and enforcement mechanisms directed at maintaining order in court proceedings, enforcing compliance with rules, and placing certain contraventions within an offence regime. The principal enforcement mechanisms and penalty scales set in the Act are as follows.
Contempt and immediate court powers (s 17A)
The Act defines conduct that constitutes contempt of Court in the lower courts: wilful misbehaviour before the Magistrates Court, wilful interruption or obstruction of proceedings, and wilful prevarication in giving evidence (s 17A(1)(a)-(c)).
A magistrate presiding may, by oral order, direct removal of the person from the Court or other place and have that person taken into custody (s 17A(1)). The magistrate may, by warrant, commit that person to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months or fine an amount not exceeding 5 penalty units (s 17A(1)). The Act also permits the magistrate to accept an apology and remit any penalty in whole or in part (s 17A(2)). These are immediate, in‑court enforcement tools that grant magistrates summary powers to deal with disorder.
The Act thereby supplies both non‑custodial (removal, admonition, fine) and custodial (commitment to custody, imprisonment up to 3 months) responses to contempt‑type misconduct at lower courts.
Rule‑created offences and penalties (s 15AE(3)(c)-(d))
The Magistrates Rule Committee is empowered to make rules that may designate contraventions as offences (s 15AE(3)(c)). Where such contraventions are created, the rules may prescribe a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units; in continuing cases the rules may prescribe a further fine not exceeding one penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues (s 15AE(3)(d)). This allows the committee to create an administrative compliance regime in which certain procedural transgressions attract monetary sanctions and daily penalties for ongoing breaches.
As rules are statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act (s 15AE(4)), rule‑created offences sit within the delegated‑legislation and publication framework, with the attendant expectations of accessibility and enforceability.
Limits on liability and compellability (ss 10A-10B)
The Act grants magistrates the same immunities as puisne judges under the Supreme Court Act (s 10A). That immunity, while not a penalty mechanism, affects enforcement and litigation against judicial officers and therefore indirectly shapes enforcement risk and remedies against magistrates.
Magistrates are not compellable witnesses in respect of matters that came to their knowledge performing judicial functions (s 10B), which limits the evidentiary exposure of magistrates and can affect enforcement in subsequent civil or administrative proceedings that might otherwise seek to examine their judicial actions.
Miscellaneous enforcement and publication (ss 16B, 17, 18)
Custody and affixation of Court seals is regulated (s 16B), and the validity of district registry seals is equated to that of the Court seal, which has evidentiary consequences for documents (s 16B(3)-(4)). Failure to comply with seal procedures could affect the enforceability of documents, though the Act treats properly sealed documents as valid (s 16B(4)).
The Chief Magistrate and Administrator may delegate functions in writing; acts done under delegation are to be treated as acts of the delegator (s 17(1)-(6)). Delegation therefore establishes legally effective channels for enforcement and administrative action.
The Governor may make regulations for the Act which can include enforcement and procedural rules beyond the rule‑making powers assigned to the committee (s 18).
Who enforces what and who pays
Magistrates enforce courtroom order directly (s 17A). The Registrar/Administrator and the Magistrates Rule Committee create and implement rules that may be enforced administratively and through fines for contraventions (s 15AE). The Public Account funds magistrates’ remuneration and allowances (s 10(7)-(9)), so the State bears the cost of judicial salaries and associated administrative costs, while individuals and practitioners may bear fines and compliance costs imposed by rules.
Practical consequences for practitioners and litigants
The ability of the committee to create offences up to 10 penalty units and daily penalties introduces a monetary enforcement lever for procedural compliance; practitioners should note that rules so created are statutory rules (s 15AE(4)).
Contempt sanctions are summary and potentially custodial; magistrates’ power to accept apologies and remit penalties introduces discretionary mitigation (s 17A(2)).
Immunities and non‑compellability for magistrates will affect prospects of civil or disciplinary action concerning judicial conduct (ss 10A-10B).
In sum, the Act combines in‑court summary contempt powers with delegated rule‑based offence provisions to create a layered enforcement regime that is partly judicial (summary contempt), partly administrative (rule‑created offences) and partly statutory/regulatory (regulations by the Governor).
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is structured to operate in tandem with a number of other statutes and legal regimes, and it explicitly cross‑references several external Acts and frameworks. The interactions are mostly framework and operation linkages rather than substantive transfers of power. Key interaction points visible in the text include:
Interplay with Commonwealth and State employment, superannuation and leave laws
The Act treats magistrates as employees for the purposes of certain statutory schemes (s 4(6) as to Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016; s 10(1B) and (3) cross‑refer to superannuation legislation and treatment under the Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016 as applicable). It explicitly provides that a magistrate is an employee for the purposes of the Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994 (s 10(2)) and for workers compensation and asbestos‑related compensation schemes (s 10(4)). This is an operational interface where ministerial and agency employment regulations will determine entitlements, not the Act itself.
A person who ceases to be a magistrate and becomes a State Service officer has their magistrate service counted for State Service rights (s 4(3)). Conversely, a State Service officer appointed to be Administrator or a registrar holds that office in conjunction with State Service employment (ss 16(1), 16A(1)).
Rule publication and delegated legislation regime
Rules of court made under s 15AE are statutory rules within the meaning of the Rules Publication Act 1953 (s 15AE(4)). That places these rules into the wider delegated legislation system, with the attendant obligations on publication, potential tabling in Parliament and mechanisms for disallowance where applicable under the Rules Publication Act. Practitioners should therefore treat rules as formally published delegated legislation rather than mere practice notes. The Act also authorises the Governor to make regulations (s 18), which will sit within the general statutory instrument framework.
Cross‑references to judicial immunities and oath requirements
Magistrates’ immunities are made equivalent to those of puisne judges under the Supreme Court Act 1887 (s 10A). That cross‑reference anchors judicial immunity in the higher court statute and aligns protections between tiers of the judiciary.
The judicial oath requirement is imposed via reference to the Promissory Oaths Act 2015 (s 7(1)); accordingly the form and taking of the oath is governed by that Act for magistrates appointed after that Act’s commencement.
Interaction with other court constituting statutes and jurisdictions
The Magistrates Court’s jurisdiction is to be derived from this Act and any other Act (s 3B(1)). The Act therefore functions as the procedural and organisational skeleton for jurisdictions that are granted elsewhere. Where enabling Acts omit a division designation, the Chief Magistrate directs the appropriate division for that jurisdiction (s 3B(3)). The Act explicitly enumerates that the Court’s jurisdiction includes courts of summary jurisdiction under the Justices Act 1959 and tribunals constituted by magistrates (s 3 interpretation).
The Act replaced earlier statutes: the Magistrates Act 1969 and the Stipendiary Magistrates Act 1972 are repealed by s 20. Schedule 1 lists consequential amendments to a bundle of older statutes, signalling that this Act is intended to operate as the contemporary statutory framework for lower courts.
Inter‑jurisdictional exchanges and temporary appointment mechanics
The Act contemplates inter‑court arrangements with other States and Territories, permitting magistrates to serve temporarily in other jurisdictions and vice versa, but stipulates that a visiting magistrate cannot exercise powers in this State unless appointed as a temporary magistrate under s 4(4) (s 16C(1)-(3)). This interaction introduces administrative and appointment regimes that bridge State appointment law with inter‑jurisdictional work.
Reporting and parliamentary oversight
The Chief Magistrate’s annual report must be provided to the Minister and tabled in each House of Parliament (s 17C(1)-(3)). That establishes a parliamentary oversight channel akin to other public bodies whose annual reports are tabled.
Practical cross‑statutory consequences
Because the Act treats rules as statutory rules (s 15AE(4)) and because the Committee may create rule‑based offences (s 15AE(3)(c)-(d)), there is an interface with criminal procedure and the enforcement architecture of the State. The Act’s cross‑references to employment, superannuation and compensation statutes (s 10, s 4(6)) mean that magistrates’ entitlements and liabilities are mediated by external statutes rather than being fully self‑contained.
In short, the Act is deliberately designed to be a central organising statute that relies on, and interfaces with, a network of other statutes for details of oath, employment, publication, immunity and jurisdictional grants. Practitioners must therefore consult the Promissory Oaths Act, the Rules Publication Act, relevant employment and superannuation statutes, and any enabling statutes that confer jurisdiction to understand the full legal effect of actions taken under the Magistrates Court Act.
Amendment history
The text contains explicit marginal notes and bracketed amendment annotations that identify a series of insertions, substitutions and consequential amendments. The Act in the provided text reflects a cumulative history of amendments; the following is a source‑grounded summary of the notable textual changes as shown in the Act’s own annotations. Each reference in parentheses corresponds to the annotation appended to the relevant section in the source text.
Foundational amendments and insertion of core Parts: Part I and Part II headings were inserted by No. 13 of 1989 (see Part I Heading and Part II Heading annotations). Section 3A (creation of the Magistrates Court) and s 3B (jurisdiction and divisions) were inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s 9 (s 3A annotation). Section 15 and other structural rearrangements reflect the reorganisation that occurred during that period (s 15 substitution note referencing No. 13 of 1989, s 12).
Role and administrative changes in early 1990s: several amendments through the 1990s appear (for example, s 16(1) substituted by No. 46 of 1991, s 5 and Sched. 3). Section 10A was inserted by No. 46 of 1992, s 4 (immunities). Section 17A inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s 18. Section 15AC, 15AD, 15AE and related Parts IIA materials were inserted by No. 6 of 2003, s 26 (see s 15AC annotation) in connection with the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 as noted in the source.
2000s clean‑up and delegated legislation regime: numerous amendments in the 2000s are annotated across sections. For example, s 4(6) was inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1; s 7 was substituted by No. 8 of 2015, s 11 with effect from 15 May 2015; and s 15AE received insertion and amendments with No. 6 of 2003 and subsequent adjustments (s 15AE annotations show insertion by No. 6 of 2003 and later amendments by No. 53 of 2003 and No. 43 of 2006). The source shows repeated amendments by Nos. 54 of 2003, 65 of 2007 and others across different sections.
Specific adjustments to appointment categories and part‑time arrangements: s 4 contains numerous insertions in the 2000s modifying the instrument of appointments and part‑time provisions, including the insertion of ss 4(1A)-(1G) (No. 54 of 2003; No. 65 of 2007). Section 8(2) was amended by No. 11 of 2021 (applied 06 Sep 2021) to address the age limit. Section 10(1) and related salary and employment provisions were altered by amendments such as No. 54 of 2003, s 9 and No. 65 of 2007, s 15.
Modern reporting requirement: s 17C (annual report) was inserted by No. 61 of 1999 and later, in the source, amended by No. 13 of 2025, s 5 (applied 01 Oct 2025), showing an explicit statutory change to reporting timing or requirements in the most recent amendment note visible in the text.
Rule committee and delegated practice regulation: Part IIA and the Magistrates Rule Committee provisions were inserted by No. 6 of 2003 (s 26) with subsequent procedural detail added by regulations and statutory rules amendments referenced in s 15AC-15AE annotations. The source shows amendments to s 15AE by No. 53 of 2003 (Sched. 1) and No. 43 of 2006 (s 43), among others.
Transitional and consequential repeals: s 19 and s 19A-19B deal with transition mechanics and are annotated with their source insertions (e.g. s 19A references the Court of Requests (Small Claims Division) Act 1985 context). Section 20 repeals the Magistrates Act 1969 and the Stipendiary Magistrates Act 1972 (s 20). Schedule 1 lists consequential amendments to multiple older Acts (Schedule 1).
This Act’s text is annotated with numerous amendment notes identifying the amending instrument and often the applied commencement date. Practitioners should consult the consolidated Act as published and the formal amendment instruments for precise chronological order and commencement details. The Act, as presented, is the consolidated product of multiple amendment instruments; the annotations embedded in the text identify the relevant amending Acts and sections (for example, No. 13 of 1989, No. 6 of 2003, No. 54 of 2003, No. 65 of 2007, No. 11 of 2021 and others as set out in the source). Schedule 1 in the source lists the consequential Acts affected by the transition to this framework (including the Child Welfare Act 1960, Coroners Act 1957, Justices Act 1959 and others as shown).
When advising or applying the statute, practitioners should rely on the official consolidated version held by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office or other authorised publisher to capture the full amendment history and operative dates, and to confirm any transitional application of specific amendments referenced in the marginal notes.
Litigation history
The Act as supplied contains no cases or judicial decisions. The text itself does not cite any litigation, judgments or reported authorities interpreting its provisions. Therefore, there is no litigation history embedded in the Act document to summarise.
Practical implications of that absence (sources‑grounded, not speculative)
Absence of case references in the statute does not mean the Act has not been litigated; it means the Act text itself does not include judicial annotations. Practitioners must search reported decisions, tribunal determinations and unreported judgments for judicial interpretation of key provisions such as s 3B (division allocation), s 9 (tenure and removal), s 12 (prohibition on other work), s 15AE (scope of rule‑making), s 17A (contempt powers), s 10A (judicial immunities) and s 15AA (practice directions). The statute’s cross‑referenced provisions (for example, immunities under the Supreme Court Act, s 10A) may have relevant interpretive history in higher court decisions.
Areas of likely judicial attention based on the Act’s structure: tenure and removal provisions (s 9), which speak to the constitutional protection of judicial office; the scope and limits of rule‑making authority delegated to the Magistrates Rule Committee (s 15AE); the validity and effect of practice directions as subordinate instruments (s 15AA); and the exercise of contempt powers and summary penalties in the lower courts (s 17A). Each of those topics commonly generates litigation on scope, procedural fairness and limits to delegation, but the Act text does not cite specific authorities.
For authoritative guidance on how these provisions operate in practice, practitioners should consult contemporaneous case law from Tasmanian courts and, where relevant, comparative authority from other jurisdictions on delegated rule‑making, contempt at first instance and judicial tenure. The Act’s cross‑references (Promissory Oaths Act, Supreme Court Act, Rules Publication Act) also anchor interpretive questions to those texts and the judicial history that surrounds them.
Because the Act does not provide litigation history, a complete legal analysis for contentious points requires an independent search of case law databases and reported decisions. The statutory framework supplied here identifies the provisions practitioners will commonly need to check against judicial interpretation, but it does not supply that jurisprudence itself.
Gotchas
The Act contains several practical traps and implementation details that can cause compliance or operational issues if overlooked. Each item below identifies the section(s) that create the particular risk and explains the concrete mechanism of the risk.
Division allocation discretion and forum predictability (s 3B(2)-(4))
The Chief Magistrate directs in which division a non‑specified jurisdiction is to be exercised (s 3B(3)) and may assign magistrates in writing to divisions (s 3B(4)). This confers internal administrative discretion over where and by whom matters will be heard. The operational effect is that a practitioner cannot assume a given enabling Act will fix the division; allocation is an administrative decision. Practitioners should check Chief Magistrate directions and practice directions (s 15AA) for current allocation rules.
Practice directions and their primacy (s 15AA(1)-(2))
Practice directions bind the lower courts unless statute or rules provide otherwise (s 15AA(2)). Practice directions are not called “rules of court” but have binding effect. The practical glitch is that a practice direction may change filing practices or procedural steps quickly. For litigators this means up‑to‑date checking of published practice directions is necessary; reliance on older rules alone can be insufficient.
Statutory rules-making with power to create offences and penalties (s 15AE(3)(c)-(d), (4))
The Magistrates Rule Committee can make rules that create offences punishable by fines up to 10 penalty units and daily penalties for continuing offences (s 15AE(3)(d)). These rules are statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act (s 15AE(4)), making them legally enforceable. Practitioners must treat rules as instruments that can attract criminal/penal consequences, and must monitor promulgations and tabling.
Temporary magistrates and excluded provisions (s 4(4)-(5))
Temporary magistrates appointed under s 4(4) do not fall under certain protections and provisions in ss 9, 10 (other than s 10(4)), and 12 (per s 4(5)). In practice this means temporary appointees can be subject to different terms and less employment protection; parties and practitioners should verify whether a presiding magistrate is temporary when relying on tenure‑based arguments or employment entitlements.
Oath timing nuance (s 7(1)-(2))
Section 7 requires taking and subscribing the judicial oath under the Promissory Oaths Act 2015 before performing judicial functions, but s 7(2) states this obligation only applies to persons appointed after the Promissory Oaths Act’s commencement. That creates a cohort distinction: older incumbents may not have taken the new form of oath. Advisers must therefore confirm the applicable oath regime based on appointment date.
Prohibition on legal practice (s 12)
A magistrate shall not engage in or continue the practice of an Australian legal practitioner (s 12(a)). The mechanism is absolute: once a person is a magistrate they must cease practice; failure to do so would be an express statutory breach. For lawyers considering appointment, this requires winding down private practice arrangements and addressing conflicts such as outstanding retainer obligations.
Age and retirement rules with exceptions (s 8(2)-(3), s 9(4))
Section 8(2) disqualifies persons from appointment if they have attained age 75, but s 8(3) exempts certain part‑time and temporary appointees. Section 9(4)(a) requires permanent full‑time magistrates to retire at 75. The interaction can be confusing where a person is a part‑time magistrate who later seeks full‑time appointment or vice versa; practitioners should verify which statutory provision governs the individual appointment.
Seal custody and document validity (s 16B(2)-(4))
District registry seals are to be held in custody by district registrars as the Chief Magistrate directs, and documents sealed by the district seal are as valid as those sealed with the Court seal (s 16B(2)-(4)). Errors in seal custody or unauthorised sealing could compromise documents. Registrars and litigants must follow the Chief Magistrate’s directions on seal use.
Delegation in writing and continuity of authority (s 17(1)-(6))
Delegations by the Chief Magistrate or Administrator must be by instrument in writing (s 17(1)-(2)). Acts done under valid delegation have the same force as if done by the delegator (s 17(6)). The “gotcha” is informal delegation or oral instruction will not suffice legally; ensure written delegation instruments exist for delegated actions.
Committee composition and quorum requirements (s 15AC(2), s 15AD(2))
The Magistrates Rule Committee’s membership includes professional nominees and requires a quorum of eight including the Chief or Deputy Chief Magistrate (s 15AD(2)). For rule‑making, failure to meet quorum or to properly appoint nominees can invalidate rules or procedural decisions. The Minister’s role in requiring nominations and appointing where nominations are not made (s 15AC(3)-(4)) is consequential for the representative character of the committee.
Inter‑jurisdictional exchange condition: temporary appointment requirement (s 16C(3) & s 4(4))
A magistrate from another State or Territory may only exercise powers in this State under an inter‑court arrangement if appointed as a temporary magistrate under s 4(4) (s 16C(3)). The practical consequence is that simple mutual recognition of office is insufficient; an instrument of appointment under the Act is necessary.
Annual report deadlines and parliamentary tabling (s 17C(1)-(3))
The Chief Magistrate must prepare an annual report by 31 October and the Minister must table it within 10 sitting days after receipt (s 17C(1)-(3)). Late reports or failure to table could create parliamentary and administrative friction; administrators must calendar these deadlines.
These are concrete, source‑grounded operational risks. Each “gotcha” arises from the phrasing and delegation architecture in the Act rather than from external interpretation. Practitioners must verify on each point which enacted rules, practice directions, and delegations are currently in force because the Act centralises procedural authority outside the raw statute into committee rules and Chief Magistrate directions (s 15AE, s 15AA).
How to comply
Compliance under this Act requires attention by three groups: judicial officers seeking to comply with appointment and office rules; administrative officers (Administrator, registrars) implementing procedural instruments; and practitioners and litigants following rules and practice directions. The following step‑by‑step actions are grounded in the statute.
For incoming magistrates and judicial applicants
Confirm eligibility: ensure at least five years’ standing as an Australian legal practitioner before seeking appointment (s 8(1)). Check age thresholds (s 8(2)-(3)) and whether the intended appointment is permanent full‑time, permanent part‑time or temporary (ss 4(1A)-(1C), (4)-(5)).
Oaths: if appointed after commencement of the Promissory Oaths Act 2015, take and subscribe the judicial oath under that Act before performing judicial functions, as required by s 7(1). Confirm whether the appointment date triggers s 7(2).
Cease legal practice: immediately cease or wind down active legal practice upon appointment to avoid breaching s 12(a). Ensure any ongoing private interests or offices that might interfere with judicial functions are relinquished or declared, per s 12(b).
Agree part‑time arrangements in writing where applicable: a permanent full‑time magistrate may perform duties on a part‑time basis only under a written agreement approved by the Attorney‑General and specifying hours (s 4(1D)-(1F)). Record and file that agreement with the appropriate administrative authority.
For the Chief Magistrate and committee members
Annual court place determinations: before 1 December each year determine the places where lower courts will sit for the following year and publish/communicate these determinations (s 15(1)). Keep records of any variations made during the 12‑month period.
Division allocation and magistrate assignments: when an Act confers jurisdiction without specifying division, make a written direction specifying the division under s 3B(3). When assigning magistrates to divisions, use written instruments as provided by s 3B(4) and keep records of assignments and any cross‑division arrangements made under s 3B(6).
Issue and publish practice directions: issue practice directions to regulate practice and procedure (s 15AA(1)(a)-(c)). Ensure practice directions are published and readily accessible because they govern practice unless displaced by statute or rules (s 15AA(2)). Use s 15AA(3)-(3) as authority to direct filing requirements where necessary.
Convene the Magistrates Rule Committee correctly: convene meetings (s 15AD(1)), ensure quorum of eight including Chief or Deputy Chief Magistrate (s 15AD(2)), and allow telephone/video participation where necessary (s 15
[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000][Section 3 Amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005][Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017][Section 3 Amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998]
coroner means a coroner within the meaning of the Coroners Act 1995 ;
Deputy Chief Magistrate means the person who is appointed as Deputy Chief Magistrate pursuant to section 6(1) , and includes an acting Deputy Chief Magistrate temporarily appointed pursuant to section 6(7) ;
division means a division of the Magistrates Court;
function includes duty;
lower courts means –
(a) the Magistrates Court;
(b) courts of summary jurisdiction within the meaning of the Justices Act 1959 ;
(ba) [Section 3 Amended by No. 102 of 2001, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Jun 2002] the Land Valuation Court continued under Part 7 of theValuation of Land Act 2001 ;
(c) [Section 3 Amended by No. 27 of 1992, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 1998][Section 3 Amended by No. 40 of 1998, s. 4, Applied:26 May 1999] a tribunal under any Act –
(i) that is constituted by a magistrate; or
(ii) of which a magistrate is the chairperson;
(d)
(e) [Section 3 Amended by No. 2 of 1998, Sched. 2, Applied:01 Jul 2000]
(f)
magistrate means a person who is appointed as a magistrate pursuant to section 4 , and includes a person who, by virtue of section 19(1) , is deemed to have been so appointed;
Magistrates Court means the Magistrates Court of Tasmania established by this Act;
[Section 3 Amended by No. 53 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:25 Sep 2003]minor civil claim means a minor civil claim within the meaning of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 ;
the regulations means regulations made and in force under this Act.
[Section 3 Amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005][Section 3 Amended by No. 54 of 2016, s. 67, Applied:31 Mar 2017]
[Section 3 Amended by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000]Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.
Part II [Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court
Part II [Part II Heading inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 8 ]The Magistrates Court
3A Creation of the Magistrates Court
3A Creation of the Magistrates Court
[Section 3A Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 ]
(1) There is established by this Act a court to be known as the Magistrates Court of Tasmania.
(2) The Magistrates Court is a court of record and shall have jurisdiction throughout the State.
(3) The Magistrates Court consists of the Chief Magistrate, the Deputy Chief Magistrate, and the magistrates.
3B Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court
3B Jurisdiction and divisions of the Magistrates Court
[Section 3B Inserted by No. 13 of 1989, s. 9 ]
(1) The Magistrates Court shall have such jurisdictions as are conferred on it by or under this Act or any other Act.
(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.
(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.
(4) [Section 3B Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008][Section 3B Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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.
(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) , 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.
(6) [Section 3B Subsection (6) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 9, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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.
4 Appointment of magistrates
4 Appointment of magistrates
(1) [Section 4 Subsection (1) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] Subject to this Act, the Governor may appoint such magistrates as the Governor thinks fit.
(1A) [Section 4 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003] Under subsection (1) , a person may be appointed as a –
(a) permanent full-time magistrate; or
(b) permanent part-time magistrate.
(1B) [Section 4 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003] If the nature of a person's appointment under subsection (1) is not specified in the instrument of appointment, the person is taken to have been appointed as a permanent full-time magistrate.
(1C) [Section 4 Subsection (1C) inserted by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003] A permanent part-time magistrate holds office for such term, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the instrument of appointment.
(1D) [Section 4 Subsection (1D) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] 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.
(1E) [Section 4 Subsection (1E) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] An agreement under subsection (1D) 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.
(1F) [Section 4 Subsection (1F) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] The hours of duty specified in an agreement under subsection (1D) may be varied by written agreement between the magistrate concerned and the Chief Magistrate made with the approval of the Attorney-General.
(1G) [Section 4 Subsection (1G) inserted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008]Subsection (1D) does not apply to the Deputy Chief Magistrate.
(2) [Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001][Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001][Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001][Section 4 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008] A magistrate is not subject to the State Service Act 2000 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.
(3) [Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008][Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001][Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001][Section 4 Subsection (3) amended by No. 86 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:01 May 2001] 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 .
(4) [Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008][Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 65 of 2007, s. 10, Applied:01 Jan 2008][Section 4 Subsection (4) amended by No. 5 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:11 Apr 2003] 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.
(4A) [Section 4 Subsection (4A) inserted by No. 5 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:11 Apr 2003] In subsection (4) ,
qualified person means a person who –
(a) is eligible for appointment as a magistrate under section 8(1) ; or
(b) is or has been a judge of the Federal Court of Australia; or
(c) [Section 4 Subsection (4A) amended by No. 36 of 2017, s. 17, Applied:19 Sep 2017] is or has been a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia or has been a magistrate of the Federal Magistrates Court; or
(d) is or has been a magistrate or a judge of a court of another State or a Territory.
(5) [Section 4 Subsection (5) amended by No. 54 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:25 Sep 2003] The provisions of sections 9 , 10 (other than subsection (4) of that section) and 12 do not apply to a person who is appointed as a temporary magistrate under subsection (4) .
(6) [Section 4 Subsection (6) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000][Section 4 Subsection (6) substituted by No. 54 of 2016, s. 68, Applied:31 Mar 2017] A magistrate is an employee for the purposes of the Public Sector Superannuation Reform Act 2016 .
(7) [Section 4 Subsection (7) amended by No. 65 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2005][Section 4 Subsection (7) inserted by No. 103 of 2000, Sched. 1, Applied:13 Dec 2000] [*[Se
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.