The District Courts were established by UNTAET Regulation 2000/11 and, pursuant to s 7.1, are located in four separate geographical jurisdictions:

Ø Dili District Court;
Ø Baucau District Court;
Ø Suai District Court;
Ø Oecussi District Court.

With the exception of the Dili District Court (which in addition has exclusive jurisdiction over “serious crimes”, in which regard please refer to the background section on the Special Panels for Serious Crimes), the subject matter jurisdiction of each of the District Courts is identical and broad, extending to “all matters as courts of first instance”: s 6 of UNTAET Regulation 2000/11. District Courts are otherwise distinguished by their territorial jurisdiction. As courts of first instance the District Courts are presently (there is provision under section 123.1 of the Constitution for the creation of additional courts) the only courts in East Timor in which civil or criminal proceedings can be commenced.

The hearing in the District Courts are currently being conducted in Portuguese with translations into Tetum and other language Nevertheless, due to regional variations in languages there is a recognized need to ensure that each of the Courts has the capacity to operate in local languages which can be understood by all parties. However, finding the resources to do so will continue to be a challenge for the District Courts.

Baucau District Court

· The Baucau District Court, which began functioning on 15 September 2000, is located in the town of Baucau and has territorial jurisdiction over the districts of Baucau, Viqueque, Manatuto and Lautem.

The Court is presently comprised of 1 Portuguese judge who comes to Baucau District Court one day a week. There are bo public defenders. There is 1 legal aid institute attached to the court.

JSMP tries to monitor 80% of cases at the Baucau District Court.

Suai District Court

The Suai District Court currently operates 2-4 days per month. The court is comprised of 1 Brazilian judge who comes to Suai District Court twice a month. There is 1 international public prosecutor who also comes to Suai District Court twice a month. There are no public defenders. There is 1 legal aid institute attached to the Court.

· The Court has territorial jurisdiction over the districts of Cova Lima, Bobonaro, Ainaro and Manufahe.

JSMP tries to monitor 60% of cases at Suai District Court.

Oecussi District Court

· The Court formally commenced operations on 31 May 2000 and is located in the town of Oecussi, the seat of governance of the enclave of Oecussi to which its territorial jurisdiction is confined.

The Oecussi District Court currently operates 2 - 4 days per month. The Courts is compresed of one Brazilian judge who comes to Oecussi District Court twice a month. There is 1 international public prosecutor who also comes to Oecussi District Court twice a month. There are no public defenders. There is 1 legal aid institute attached to the court.

JSMP tries to monitor 60% of cases at the Oecussi District Court.