The courts where the overwhelming majority of cases begin and end. Organised into districts across Trinidad and Tobago, they handle summary offences, traffic matters and civil claims within the statutory limit. Magistrates also conduct preliminary enquiries to decide whether an indictable charge should be sent to the superior court for trial.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Court of summary jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Summary criminal offences, preliminary enquiries into indictable charges, small civil claims, and family and maintenance matters.
- Seat
- Port of Spain
- Composition
- Magistrates sitting alone, without a jury.
- Languages
- English
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Court of Appeal.
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