The Australian Women's Register

Summary

The A.C.T. (Australian Capital Territory) Magistrates Court (known as the Court of Petty Sessions from November 1930 until 1 February 1986) operates under the Magistrates Court Act 1930. The Act provides the Court with summary jurisdiction to hear both civil and criminal matters. Magistrates in the A.C.T. are appointed by the executive government after having worked as legal practitioners for more than five years. Magistrates hear civil disputes between individuals or groups such as corporations and associations; they also hear A.C.T. offences which carry a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment or less and Commonwealth offences with a maximum penalty of less than one year. In addition, they hear matters in the Children’s Court, Coroner’s Court and Industrial Court.