[2] The current Chief Magistrate is Lorraine Walker, appointed with effect from 13 October 2011.

[9] Previously, Territorians were required to travel to Queanbeyan, Goulburn or Cooma to have their legal matters heard.

[9] Under the Seat of Government Acceptance Act, state or federal courts had jurisdiction to settle legal disputes arising within the Territory.

[9] In 1926, Robert Garran (then Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department) recommended building a permanent courthouse in the Territory or, if that was not economically viable, then temporary courtrooms.

[9] In 1929, Acton House was accepted by Attorney-General John Latham as a suitable building from which the Court of Petty Sessions could conduct legal proceedings.

From a base of £200 in the early years, the court could then settle civil proceedings up to $50,000.

[9] The building was officially opened by Prime Minister Robert Menzies on 8 May 1963.

Under the Jervis Bay Acceptance Act 1915 (Cth),[10] the laws of the Australian Capital Territory apply in that particular area.

Magistrates from the ACT travel to Jervis Bay Village on a regular basis to hold court for the region.

Any amount in dispute under $25,000 is dealt with by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

[15] The Coroner's Court is another division within the Magistrates Court that investigates violent or unnatural deaths, suspicious fires and/or explosions, but it cannot make orders to punish offenders.

In serious cases, police officers may arrest a person and bring them directly before the magistrate.