In 1858 the district courts were established with a civil jurisdiction up to £200 replacing the Court of Requests which only sat in limited places, and had a general claim limit of £10 to £30. Initially each judge was appointed to a specific district. From 1955 judges were appointed to all district courts. The position of Chairman of the District Court Judges was introduced in 1950 to exercise administrative functions in relation to the courts similar to role of the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court. The role was renamed Chief Judge with the restructure of the courts in 1973.