Magistrates' Courts
The whole of the territory of South Africa is divided into approximately 350 magisterial districts, with each district having a District Magistrate's Court. These courts can hear civil cases where the value of the claim is no more than R100,000, and in criminal cases can impose a sentence of up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to R100 000. The magistrates districts are arranged into regions with each region having a Regional Magistrate's Court, which handles more serious criminal cases and can impose a sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to R300 000. As of 2010 Regional Magistrates Courts can also handle civil cases where the value of the claim is no more than R300 000, as well as divorce cases.
Read more about this topic: Courts Of South Africa
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