In the year 1195, King Richard I introduced a system of peace officers to enforce the “King’s Peace”. Any offence against the peace was considered to be an offence against the King and was treated severely, there were travelling judges to deal with offenders at the time.

In 1327, King Edward III introduced the “Peace Officer”.  The Peace officer dealt with minor offences that allowed the judges to concentrate on the more serious offences. These peace officers were allowed to use the title “Justice” and over the years became known as Justices of the Peace.

The role gradually evolved and spread to the colonies as the British Empire expanded. Traditionally, the people appointed to the office were highly respected members of the community.

Today, Justices of the Peace (JP) are citizens who are entrusted by their community to take on special responsibilities, from witnessing the signing of documents to hearing certain type of court matters.

The main role as a Justices of the Peace (JP) is to witness the signing of official documents. When a Justices of the Peace (JP) witness’s documents, they have more legal weight than a document witnessed by someone without any official position.

Community services provided by Justices of the Peace:

  • Certifying copies of documents
  • Witnessing documents
  • Witnessing Statutory Declarations
  • Camera-Detected offence notice – Statutory Declarations
  • Witnessing Blue Card applications
  • Administering Oaths and Affirmations
  • Witnessing GPA,EPA and Advance Health Directives documents
  • Witnessing Wills
  • Witnessing Title Registry forms
  • Witnessing International, Commonwealth and Interstate documents
  • Witnessing the Consent to the Marriage of a Minor

Justices of the Peace may also issue:

  • Summons or Warrant under the Peace and Good Behaviour Act 1982
  • Warrants under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
  • Search Warrants
  • Arrest Warrants

Justices of the Peace (JP) have a duty of care to act within the scope of practice for the communities, but Justices of the Peace (JP) DO NOT provide legal advice.

Morrison Specter has a professional team of lawyers to provide the best professional advice and gives you the best legal protection and strive for the maximum benefits.