Section 3844 · Magistrates’ courts

The two magistrates’ courts established pursuant to section 81 of title 3 of the Canal Zone Code and existing immediately before October 1, 1979, shall continue in operation during the transition period unless terminated during such period under subsection (b) of this section.

During the transition period, the President may terminate one magistrate's court, together with the positions of magistrate and constable corresponding thereto, if the President determines that the workload is insufficient to warrant continuance of that court. If one of the magistrates’ courts is so terminated, the remaining magistrate's court shall exercise the jurisdiction that otherwise would have been exercised by the terminated court and shall take custody of and administer all records of the terminated court.