Magistrates Court of South Australia

The Magistrates Court of South Australia is South Australia's lowest level court.

Magistrates Court of South Australia
Adelaide Magistrates Court building
Established	1837
Jurisdiction	South Australia
Location	Various locations across South Australia
Coordinates	34.930322°S 138.600586°E / -34.930322; 138.600586
Composition method	Vice-regal appointment upon nomination by the Premier following the advice of the Attorney General and Executive Council of South Australia
Authorized by	Parliament of South Australia via the: Magistrates Court Act 1991 (SA)
Appeals to	District Court of South Australia
Judge term length	Mandatory retirement by age of 70
Website	Magistrates Court of SA
Chief Magistrate
Currently	Mary-Louise Hribal

The Magistrates Court has a criminal and civil jurisdiction. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Magistrates Court deals with summary offences, which may be dealt with by a fine, imprisonment of up to two years, community service or a good behaviour bond. In its civil jurisdiction, it hears matters seeking damages of up to $100,000 for general claims. South Australian Magistrate courts also conduct minor civil claims which are up to $25,000 where both parties cannot have lawyers without special permission.

The Chief Magistrate is the principal judicial officer of the Magistrates Court. Including the Chief Magistrate, there are 36 magistrates in South Australia, based in Adelaide and in metropolitan courts at Christies Beach, Elizabeth, Mount Barker and Port Adelaide.[1] All regional cities and country areas are serviced by magistrates on circuit from courts in Adelaide and the suburbs.