The Graaff-Reinet Municipality was created by virtue of a proclamation dated 28 August 1845, published in Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 2071 of 29 August 1845. The first ordinary meeting of the Commissioners took place on 18 September 1845. In January 1969 the Municipality of Graaff-Reinet amalgamated with the nearby Municipality of Adendorp.
In 1994 Graaff-Reinet became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, one of seven local municipalities that falls under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (formerly Cacadu District Municipality).
A Special Justice of the Peace was appointed at Laingsburg on 1 November 1890 (Government Gazette No 7247 dated 5 December 1890, Proclamation No 283 dated 24 November 1890). The court of the Special Justice of the Peace was abolished as from 1 September 1899 (Government Gazette No 8161 dated 8 September 1899, Proclamation No 227 dated 4 September 1899). As from 1 September 1899 TJB Scotland was appointed Assistant Magistrate for the district of Prince Albert at Laingsburg (Government Gazette No 8159 dated 1 September 1899, Government Notice No 708 dated 31 August 1899).
A Magistrate’s Court was established at Laingsburg on 15 August 1905 (Government Gazette No 8779 dated 15 August 1905, Proclamation 264, dated 12 August 1905).
A Magistrate’s Court was established at Glen Grey as from 1 May 1879 (Government Gazette No 5896 dated 25 March 1879, Proclamation No 43 dated 24 March 1879). According to Government Notice No 1001 dated 20 September 1880 the seat of the magistracy was transferred to Cacadu and approved of the latter place being called Lady Frere (Government Gazette No 6060 dated 21 September 1880). Before the establishment of the magistracy an officer styled as the Clerk in Charge was stationed at Glen Grey. For practical reasons the documents created by this officer have been included in this inventory.
The Magistrate of Lady Frere was also appointed Native Commissioner by Government Notice No 1865 of 1928, published in Government Gazette No 1734 dated 26 October 1928.
An Assistant Resident Magistrate was appointed at Middledrift in the district of King William’s Town as from 1 January 1894 (Government Gazette No 7562, 12 December 1893, Government Notice No 1196, 8 December 1893). On 1 January 1918 the sub-district of Middledrift was established and a Magistrate appointed (Government Gazette No 858, 1 January 1918, Proclamation No 6, 1 January 1918 and Government Notice No 1, 1 January 1918).
The Magistrate of Middledrift was also appointed Native Commissioner on 1 October 1928 (Government Gazette No 1734, 26 October 1928, Government Notice No 1865, 26 October 1928). The designation Native Commissioner was later changed to Bantu Affairs Commissioner and then to Commissioner.
From 1968 the district of Middledrift fell under the jurisdiction of the Ciskeian Government.
