Still there was no exclusion of those without legal training, but the Act of 1893 for the first time divided the Courts' jurisdiction into “ordinary”, “extended”, and “special”; it could be said that the writing was definitely on the wall as far as the lay Magistrate was concerned. The Magistrates' Courts Act of 1908 finally put the seal on the matter. From henceforth all Stipendiary Magistrates were required to be qualified barristers or solicitors.

Thus it can be said that the Magistrates' Court Bench as it functions today is not much more than 50 years old. That it has attained the position in the community which the public now accords it is a tribute to the ability, integrity, and diligence of those who have served, and continue to serve, on it. Today the roll of Magistrates for the whole of New Zealand varies from 35 to 40, whereas in those far-off days, now fortunately gone, the Resident Magistrates never numbered fewer than 60, and could sometimes muster a tally of 70 and more. Considering the growth of jurisdiction, the Magistrates' Courts today deserve well of the community they serve.

by Ronald Jones, Journalist and Script Writer, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, Wellington.