What do they do?
The Judiciary carries out the responsibilities of the courts.
The Supreme Court oversees:
- Serious criminal matters tried by a judge and jury
- Civil matters with disputed amounts exceeding $25,000 tried by a single judge
- Business matters related to reinsurance, international business and the winding up of companies
- Divorce matters
- Appeals from the Magistrates’ Court
- Appeals from the Court of Appeal
- Probate of wills and appointing representatives to administer the estates of deceased persons who did not leave a will
- Receiverships to administer assets of persons suffering from mental disability
The Court of Appeal entertains appeals from the Supreme Court.
The Magistrates Court oversees:
- civil disputes involving $25,000 or less
- preliminary inquiries in indictable cases
- summary criminal trials
- landlord & tenant disputes
- care and protection of children and juvenile delinquency
- emergency protective orders in cases involving domestic violence
- drug use
- traffic violations and
- arrest and search warrants
The Supreme Court Registry is responsible for:
- Processing all court documents
- Maintaining the secure custody and safety of all court records
- Making relevant information available for court users
- Collecting and accounting for all fees and fines received by the Courts
- Providing support to the Justices of Appeal, Supreme Court Judges and the Registrar
- Listing cases for hearing
- Recording all events which take place during the course of a case
- Receiving and processing applications for the grant of Probate or the Administration of intestate estates
- Managing the resources required for the effective functioning of the courts and
- Processing applications for the distribution of family assets and the care and custody of children.
Judicial Complaints Protocol
In order to make a complaint in respect of the conduct of a Judge, Magistrate or Registrar, please review the Judicial Complaints Protocol (Revised 4 April 2025) document for guidance.
File
Ministry