Local Courts Act, 1963 (No. 20 of 1963).

https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC126379

Resource information

Resource Language

English

ISBN / Resource ID

LEX-FAOC126379

License of the resource

Copyright details

© FAO. FAO is committed to making its content freely available and encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of the text, multimedia and data presented. Except where otherwise indicated, content may be copied, printed and downloaded for private study, research and teaching purposes, and for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO's endorsement of users' views, products or services is not stated or implied in any way.

This Act provides with respect to local courts. The existing Native Courts and Group Native Appeal Courts are re-designated Local Courts and Group Local Appeal Courts and the term "Local" is substituted for the term "Native" in every designation of any such courts in any existing enactment. A Local Court or Group Local Appeal Court shall hold sessions at such times and places as the Tribal Authorities of the Chiefdom or Chiefdoms consider necessary for the convenient and speedy despatch of the business of the Court: Provided that the Minister or any person or body authorized by him or her may direct sessions to be held at such times and places as (s)he or it shall think fit. The Local Courts shall have jurisdiction: (a) to administer the estates of deceased persons, so far as they are situated within the jurisdiction of the Courts and the administration of which is governed by customary law; (b) to hear and determine: (i) all civil cases governed by customary law other than cases between Paramount Chiefs or Tribal Authorities involving a question of title to land; (ii) all civil cases governed by the general law where the claim, debt, duty or matter in dispute does not exceed 200 pounds in value, whether on balance of account or otherwise, or in claims for recovery of possession where the annual rental value of the property does not exceed 25 pounds and the term of the lease does not exceed five years. Subject to the provisions of this Act and any Rules made under it, the procedure and practice of Local Courts shall be governed by customary law. Appeals from local courts shall be made to District Appeal Courts to be constituted in accordance with this Act or to a Group Local Appeal Court.

Amended by: Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1965 (No. 29 of 1965). (1965-10-01)
Amended by: Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1974 (No. 19 of 1974). (1974-12-31)
Amended by: Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1966 (No. 28 of 1966). (1966-09-22)
Amended by: Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1975 (No. 7 of 1975). (1975-08-11)
Repealed by: Local Courts Act, 2011 (No. 10 of 2011). (2011-08-11)

Legislation