The Magistrates Court has jurisdiction to hear:
- cases where the amount claimed or the subject matter in dispute does not exceed vt1,000,000
- disputes between landlord and tenant where the amount claimed does not exceed vt 2,000,000
- cases involving uncontested petitions for divorce or nullity of marriage
- criminal proceedings for an offence for which the maximum penalty does not exceed 2 years imprisonment
- appeals from civil decisions from Island Courts, except decisions as to ownership of land, where appeal is to the Supreme Court.
The Magistrates Court has its registries in the following locations:
- Port Vila, Efate
- Isangel, Tanna
- Lakatoror, Malekula
- Luganville, Santo