Magistracy

(1) There shall be established in each judicial district of Belize a “Summary Jurisdiction Court” which shall have and exercise criminal jurisdiction, and a “District Court” which shall have and exercise civil jurisdiction. (2) The power and jurisdiction of a Summary Jurisdiction Court and a District Court shall be such as may from time to time be prescribed by the National Assembly by a law made in that behalf. (3) A magistrate shall be appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and shall, subject to any law passed by the National Assembly, be a qualified attorney-at- law. (4) A magistrate who is a qualified attorney-at-law, shall have security of tenure and subject to any compulsory retirement age for public officers, may be removed from office only for inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or from any other cause) or for misbehaviour.