2.1.1 Under the Andhra State Act, 1953, Andhra was carved out of the former State of Madras by integration of Telugu speaking areas.

2.1.2 By the States Reorganisation act, 1956, certain territories of the erstwhile Hyderabad State were integrated into the then State of Andhra, and a new State by name Andhra Pradesh came to be formed.

2.1.3 The structure of judicial set-up in the State of Madras and erstwhile State of Hyderabad continued to prevail over the respective territories of the new State till Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service Rules, 1958, came into force.

2.1.4 The recruitment and promotion of the State Judicial Service is governed by the Special Rules for Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service (Rules, 1958) and Andhra Pradesh State Higher Judicial Service (Rules).

2.1.5 At present, there are three cadres of posts in the State, viz., (1) District & Sessions Judges, Grade I and District and Sessions Judges, Grade II / Chief Judicial Magistrates / Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, (2) Senior Civil Judges and (3) Junior Civil Judges.

2.1.6 Recruitment to the initial cadre of Junior Civil Judges is made directly from amongst the advocates with three years practice at the Bar and by transfer of Law graduates working in eligible categories in the Courts and other allied Departments and also from Public Prosecutors, Grade I and Grade II, in the ratio of 4:1. The recruitment is done by the State High Court. Newly recruited candidates shall be on probation for a period of two years on duty within a continuous period of three years. The initial pay of the post of Junior Civil Judge is Rs. 3880/- in the pay scale of Rs. 3880-130-4400-160-5200-190-6150-230-7300-280-8140. After 8 years of service, a Junior Civil Judge is placed in the special grade in the pay scale of Rs. 4140-130-4400-160-5200-190-6150-230-7300-280-8140. The Junior Civil Judge is entitled for a special promotion post scale after 16 years of service in the pay scale of Rs. 5040-160-5200-190-6150-230-7300-280-8700.

2.1.7 There are 433 posts in the cadre of Junior Civil Judges.

2.1.8 The cadre of Senior Civil Judges is purely promotional cadre from the cadre of Junior Civil Judges carrying a pay scale of Rs. 5040-160-5200-190-6150-230-7300-280-8700. There are 122 posts in this cadre.

2.1.10 The Presiding Officers working in Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals are entitled for a special pay of Rs. 400/- per month.

2.1.11 The post of District & Sessions Judge, Grade-I is purely promotional one from the cadre of the District & Sessions Judge, Grade-II, in the pay scale of Rs. 8140- 280-10380. At present, there are 33 posts in this cadre.

2.1.12 Four months’ basic training is given to the initially recruited Junior Civil Judges in Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy at Hyderabad. Two months’ training (Foundation Course) is also imparted to the newly recruited District Judges.

2.1.13 Refresher Course, Orientation Course, Specified Course, Administration Work, Work-shops on Judicial Administration and Court Management are conducted for all categories of Judicial Officers in the said Academy.

Civil : All original suits or proceedings of civil nature including Land Acquisition O.Ps. exceeding Rs. 5,00,000/-.

All cases instituted under the Special enactments like Copy Rights Act, Trade and Merchandise Act, Companies Act, Hindu Religious & Endowments Act, cases under the Indian Divorce Act, G & W Act, Succession Act etc.

Criminal : All Sessions cases and other offences as classified in the First Schedule of the code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Empowered to try cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act investigated by SPE, ACB and CBI.

Civil : All Appeals against the decrees or orders of the Junior Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge in original suits and miscellaneous proceedings.

Criminal : Appeals against orders passed by JMFC / Metropolitan Magistrate or Asst. Sessions Judges – exercises revisional powers under Cr.P.C.

Civil : All Original suits or proceedings of civil nature when the value of the subject matter exceeds Rs. 1,00,000/- and below Rs. 5,00,000/-, original petitions under the Land Acquisition Act, not otherwise exempted from his cognizance under any other Law for the time being in force, Hindu Marriage Act and Insolvency Act.

Criminal : Sessions Cases where the sentence to be imposed is less than 10 years.

Appeals against the decrees or orders passed by the Junior Civil Judge where the value of the subject matter is not more than Rs. 1,00,000/-.

Civil : All Original Suits or proceedings of civil nature, the subject matter of which does not exceed Rs. 1,00,000/- and Rent Control cases under the A.P. Buildings (Lease, Rent & Eviction) Control Act.

Criminal : Calendar cases, Maintenance cases, summary trial cases and preliminary registered cases.

There is City Civil Court in Hyderabad. The Judges of City Civil Court form part of the General Cadre of District Judges. A Senior District Judge is posted as the Chief Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad.

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