A Special Justice of the Peace was appointed at Calitzdorp as from 28 November 1876 (Government Notice No 85, Government Gazette No 5635 dated 28 November 1876). An Assistant Resident Magistrate was appointed at Calitzdorp in place of the Special Justice of the Peace as from 25 January 1900 (Government Notice No 62, Government Gazette No 8201 of 26 January 1900). The Court opened on 19 March 1900 (Government Notice No 206 of 21 March 1900, Government Gazette No 8217 of 23 March 1900).

The Divisional Council of Calitzdorp was established on 24 December 1913 in terms of Proclamation No 306 of 1913. On 1 January 1980 the Divisional Council of Calitzdorp was reconstituted together with the Divisional Council of Oudtshoorn to form the amalgamated Divisional Council of Klein Karoo-Langkloof (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 4061 dated 20 July 1979, Proclamation No 174 fated 18 July 1979).