In colonial history, resident magistrates have had gubernatorial functions in a few minor, isolated colonial settlements, such as: Resident magistrates' courts remain in operation as one of the divisions of the judiciary of Jamaica, hearing civil and criminal cases in each parish of the island.
The role of resident magistrate was created on a somewhat trial basis in 1814, and extended to the entire country by the Constabulary (Ireland) Act 1836.
In some parts of western counties in the later 1800s at the time of the Famine, and then the Land War, it became hard to find enough suitably-educated local magistrates, and so an RM could be sent to help them.
From then on Resident Magistrates had to be legally qualified solicitors or barristers in Northern Ireland of at least six years' standing.
[3] Since the passing of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, two lay magistrates sit with the district judge in Youth Court (criminal proceedings involving children) and Family Proceedings Court (family law) matters, but the judge still sits alone in other matters.
As the representative of the Colonial Government, the Resident Magistrate was considered to be very powerful in the district and it was a position of certain status.
[4] Although not a fulltime position the Resident Magistrates 'were expected to maintain law and order; register births, marriages and deaths; control and protect the Aboriginals; care for public buildings and works; and supervise all other government officers in the district, if there were any, or otherwise perform the work of all branches of government themselves as required'.