The Subordinate Courts are constituted by the Subordinate Courts Act, and comprise the District Courts, the Magistrates' Courts, the Coroners' Court, the Juvenile Court and the Small Claims Tribunals. Certain District Courts and Magistrates' Courts are designed as specialised courts such as the Family Court, the Commercial Civil and Criminal Courts, the Traffic Court, the Filter Court, the Criminal Mentions Courts, the Centralised Sentencing Court and the Night Courts. The e@dr Centre, and the Multi Door Courthouse (MDC) are also part of the Subordinate Courts.
The Subordinate Courts are presided over the Senior District Judge, District Judges, Magistrates, Coroners, the Registrar, Deputy Registrars, and Referees of the Small Claims Tribunals. The President appoints the Senior District Judge, District Judges, Magistrates, Coroners and Referees of the Small Claims Tribunals on the recommendation of the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice appoints the Registrar and Deputy Registrars.
The Judiciary is one of the three constitutional pillars of government along with the Legislature and the Executive. As an Organ of State, the Judiciary's function is to independently administer justice. The Judiciary is safeguarded by the Constitution.
The Chief Justice is the head of the Judiciary which comprises the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts. As a critical component of the Judiciary, the Subordinate Courts handle more than 95% of the Judiciary's caseload.
The Senior District Judge has overall responsibility for the administration of the Subordinate Courts.
The Senior District Judge leads a team of Judicial Officers who adjudicate on cases brought before the Subordinate Courts. He is assisted administratively by the Registrar and the Corporate Services Division.
