The Judiciary

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.