the first new south welsh charter of justice of 2 april 1787 created the power to convene a criminal court. this was the court of criminal jurisdiction. the first charter of justice also created a court of civil jurisdiction to hear and determine in a summary way all pleas relating to real and personal property, debts, contracts, grant of probates and to administer intestate estates. magistrates appointed in the early years of the colony were unpaid honorary appointments. the first paid magistrate was d'arcy wentworth appointed in 1810.