It has original and appellate jurisdiction. It is also vested with the power to decide any question as to the interpretation of the constitution. The court may in civil or criminal proceeding summon one or more persons to sit and act as assistance and advice as the judge presiding may require. The decision however is exclusively vested in the judge. A judge is immune from being sued in any court for acts done or ordered to be done by him in the discharge of his judicial duty.
Magistrates vary in their grades and powers.
All these courts have original jurisdiction to try all offence except capital punishable offences like murder, treason, sedition or attempts to commit those offences. Supervision of these courts is through appeals to the High Court and the making of monthly returns in criminal cases. The returns indicated the cases the magistrate in a given court and why they are pending. To ensure their independence magistrates, are given protection from civil actions for any act done, or ordered to be done by them in the discharge of their judicial functions. Otherwise they are subjected to the law just like any other citizen.