ments of trustees, company matters, etc. Civil claims from $5.00 up to and including $1,000 are heard in the Court's Summary Jurisdiction by the Puisne Judge as are all matters arising out of distraints for non-payment of rent. Cases in the Probate, Divorce, Admiralty and Bankruptcy Jurisdictions of the court are usually heard by the Chief Justice. Indictable offences are first heard before magistrates and are committed to the criminal sessions which are held once every month; these cases are usually divided between two judges.
A right of appeal exists in all the above cases. Appeals are heard by a Full Court consisting of two or more judges. Under the Magistrates Ordinance, 1932, as amended by Ordinance No. 19 of 1935, any person aggrieved may appeal to a judge from the decision of a magistrate in a summary way. This form of appeal is heard by a single judge who may reserve the appeal or any point in it for consideration by the Full Court, or may direct the appeal or the point to be argued before the Full Court.
The Moratorium imposed at the time of the re-occupation in 1945 was lifted on the 1st December, 1948. As will be seen from the figures given below, litigation greatly increased during 1949. In the case of the Original Jurisdiction, the number of actions was almost double the number for 1948. This increase in litigation more than justified the appointment of the new Puisne Judge.
By making certain alterations to the building of the Supreme Court, a third Court (air-conditioned) was constructed during the year.
The ceremony in connection with the opening of the assizes was held on the 18th January, 1949. A service in St. John's Cathedral, which was attended by both branches of the Profession and members of the public, including prominent local citizens and representatives from the three Services, was followed by an inspection by His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Leslie Gibson, of a Guard of Honour supplied by the 1st Battalion, the Buffs. An address by His Honour was then delivered in the first Court before a large gathering.
Women jurors, who were first appointed in 1947, con- tinued to serve in Assize cases.
Legislation was enacted during the year to free the Registrar of the Supreme Court from duties hitherto carried out by him in connection with Companies and Official Trustee's work. These matters are now under the control of the Registrar General's Department. The same legislation brought the position of the Registrar more into line with that of a Master of the High Court in England.
By the effect of the Registrar General's (Establishment) Ordinance 1949 a new department was established under
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