The Divisional Council of Aberdeen was established on 2 August 1881 in terms of Act No 36 of 1879.

On 1 January 1980 the Divisional Council of Aberdeen was reconstituted together with the Divisional Councils of Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Murraysburg and Pearston to form the amalgamated Divisional Council of Kamdeboo (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 4061, 20 July 1979, Proclamation No 174, 18 July 1979).

On 2 March 1880 a resident magistrate was appointed for the district of Aberdeen with the seat of magistracy at Aberdeen.

With this appointment, the periodical court held at Aberdeen by the resident magistrate of Graaff-Reinet, established on 27 December 1860, was abolished.

The magistrate also acted as chairman of the licensing and police courts and as deputy administrator of martial law.