resident magistrate

A resident magistrate (sometimes abbreviated RM) was a suitably-qualified judicial officer appointed in British colonies, typically from outside the local community, who served as the principal authority in administering colonial justice, supervising other lay magistrates, and ensuring the consistent application of colonial law. In colonial history, resident magistrates have had gubernatorial functions in a few minor, isolated colonial settlements, such as: Ascension, as dependency of Saint Helena; post filled by managers of Eastern Telegraph/Cable and Wireless since 1922 (previously under a commanding officer), replaced since June 1964 by an Administrator Walvisbaai, only two incumbents shortly after the 12 March 1878 annexation by Britain as Walvis Bay protectorate, first under a captai...