Court Jurisdiction and Locations

Divisions of the Court

The Mallakam Court functions as a unified judicial establishment that integrates both the District Court and Magistrate's Court, ensuring the proper administration of justice.

District Court

Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978

Exercises original civil jurisdiction within the judicial zone, hearing and determining a wide range of civil, family, and land disputes.

Magistrate's Court

Article 105 of the Constitution

Exercises criminal jurisdiction and performs various judicial functions including criminal trials, inquiries, and bail proceedings.

Jurisdiction & Scope

Case Types / Subject Areas Handled

The Court provides a wide range of comprehensive judicial services and operates closely with various stakeholders to uphold the rule of law.

District Court Matters

  • Civil actions
  • Family law matters
  • Testamentary proceedings
  • Partition actions
  • Land disputes
  • Debt recovery and contractual disputes
  • Intellectual property matters assigned by law
  • Small Claims Court proceedings

Magistrate's Court Matters

  • Criminal trials within its jurisdiction
  • Non-summary inquiries
  • Maintenance and Domestic violence proceedings
  • Inquests into sudden deaths
  • Identification parades & Search warrant applications
  • Remand and Bail proceedings
  • Exercise of the powers and functions of the Primary Court where applicable

Judicial Division

The judicial division covers an extensive geographical area within the Jaffna District and includes several police divisions and government institutions falling within its territorial jurisdiction.

Court Services

  • Institution of civil actions & Filing of criminal proceedings
  • Issuing certified copies, summons, and notices
  • Acceptance of plaints, petitions, and registration of testamentary cases
  • Bail administration, Maintenance proceedings, and Fine collection
  • Case information services & Public assistance at filing counters
  • Electronic correspondence with relevant institutions where applicable

Infrastructure

The Court complex comprises: Courtrooms, Judges' Chambers, Registrar's Office, Court Registry, Record Rooms, Cash Office, Legal Aid consultation facilities (where available), Waiting areas for litigants and witnesses, Public counters, Staff offices, Parking facilities, and Basic security arrangements.

Stakeholders

The Court works closely with: Sri Lanka Police, Attorney-General's Department, Official Bar and Private Bar, Legal Aid Commission, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladhari Officers, Government Departments, Prison Authorities, Judicial Service Commission, and the Ministry of Justice.

Contact

Direct Contact Extension & Office Contact Information

Address

District & Magistrate's Court, Court Complex,
Mallakam, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

General Landline

Contact Registry

Direct extension numbers to specific court chambers or registries are assigned internally via the Registrar's Office.