Section 163: Jurisdiction

163. Jurisdiction (1) Notwithstanding— (a) section 114 (2) of the Courts Act; and (b) section 72 (5) of the District and Intermediate Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, a Magistrate shall, subject to subsection (2), have jurisdiction to try any offence under this Act and may impose any penalty provided by this Act. (2) The prosecution of an offence under any of the sections of this Act specified in the Fifth Schedule to the Criminal Procedure Act shall take place, at the discretion of the Director of Public Prosecutions, before a Judge sitting without a jury, the Intermediate Court, or a District Court. (S. 163 came into operation on 6 December 2007.)