This paper provides an overview and analysis of the history of the Australian magistracy, its present role and future directions. 

John Lowndes SM, ‘The Australian Magistracy: From Justices of the Peace to Judges and Beyond' (Conference Paper, Australian Judicial Officers Association, 14 November 1999)

As the colonial legal system developed in the early years of the New South Wales colony, its application to Aboriginal people was inconsistent. There were different approaches to the question of whether Aboriginal people could be tried under the law or were protected by the law.

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John Lowndes SM, ‘The Australian Magistracy: From Justices of the Peace to Judges and Beyond' (Conference Paper, Australian Judicial Officers Association, 14 November 1999)

Frontier wars and the legal system