British South Africa Company: High Court of Matabeleland
British South Africa Company
High Court of Matabeleland
From 1890 to 1894 there was no High Court as such in Rhodesia. The Administrator, in his capacity as Chief Magistrate, however, possessed the jurisdiction of a superior court of record with full jurisdiction in all cases, both civil and criminal, and was also empowered to hear appeals from Magistrate’s Courts and to review their proceedings. In 1894 the Matabeleland Order in Council decided to reorganise the judicial system and the first judge, Justice Vintcent, was appointed by 10 September 1894.
The High Court of Matabeleland was formally opened on 15 November 1896. Under the court was set up with full jurisdiction in all matters, both civil and criminal, including appeal and review jurisdiction over inferior courts.
In July 1896 the British South Africa Company required a second judge for the High Court of Matabeleland) to assist Vincent. John Philip Fairbairn Watermeyer accepted this appointment which was gazetted on 3 August 1896 and effective from 30 July 1896.
Under the Southern Rhodesia Order in Council of 1898 the judicial system was reorganised and the High Court of Matabeleland was reconstituted as the High Court of Southern Rhodesia.