Port Nolloth was created a separate magisterial division in 1874. This magistrate’s office was closed in 1918 when the district was abolished as a separate magisterial district and incorporated in the district of Namaqualand.

On 15 February 1918 a Special Justice of the Peace for Port Nolloth was created in terms of Act No 10 of 1876 (Cape of Good Hope) entitled an “Act to improve the Administration of Justice in places distant from as seat of Magistracy”. The Special Justice of the Peace was stationed at Port Nolloth.

As far as could be ascertained, this position remained unchanged up to February 1953 when an Assistant Magistrate was appointed for Port Nolloth.

In view of the fact that the office of the Special Justice of the Peace for Port Nolloth was created in terms of Act No 10 of 1876 (Cape of Good Hope), this office, although under the jurisdiction of the Magistrate of Namaqualand (Springbok) never formed an integral part of that office.

In the latter part of 1929 the office of the Special Justice of the Peace was destroyed by a fire and with it all the records.