COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS
On 24th August 1832, Act 3, William IV, No. 3. was assented to , which, among other things, defined the powers and authorities of Courts of Petty Sessions as well as of the Justices of the Peace. It also authorised the establishment by “proper authority” of places at which such court could be held. The first of these courts were proclaimed in the Government Gazette of 3rd October 1832.
Act 11, Victoria No. 43. of 15th June 1848 allowed the cancellation of these courts.
These Acts were supplanted by the Justices Act, 1902.
The surviving Courts of Petty Sessions were redesignated Local Courts in 1985 under the Local Courts Act 1982.
Magistrates decide cases in these courts. They decide civil cases e.g. debts and contracts where the amount of money is below a certain level. They deal also with most common crimes such as stealing and assault, and perform functions such as licensing courts and local land boards..
COURT OF REQUESTS
These were intermediate courts with a jurisdiction in small debts created by Colonial Act 10. Geo. IV No. 3 in 1829.
They were convened before a Commissioner, who was a Barrister, and were intended to provide a convenient tribunal in civil matters in regional centres. The Commissioner travelled to cover several of these courts.
The experiment failed and these courts were eventually disbanded or absorbed in the District Courts.