Retired Local JPs to be Honoured for Life

Justices of the Peace throughout our communities who are no longer able to provide the service are now able to use a new title of JP (Retired), Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Attorney General Mark Speakman announced today.

“The JP role carries significant respect and many retiring Justices of the Peace in our community will appreciate a title that recognises the work they’ve done for our community,” Mr Ward said.

“We are immensely grateful to all JPs - past and present - who have helped local people and the changes to the Justices of the Peace Act 2002 are a wonderful way of honouring those who have completed their service.”

People over 65 who served as a Justice of the Peace for at least 10 years will be eligible to hold the JP (Retired) title for life. They will not appear on the NSW public register of Justices of the Peace and will not be authorised to exercise JP functions. 

To maintain the integrity of the JP office, people using the JP (Retired) title will still need to meet good character criteria and comply with the Justice of the Peace Code of Conduct.

Justices of the Peace serve as independent witnesses to documents people use for official or legal purposes. The primary functions of a JP are to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify that a copy of an original document is a true and accurate copy.

“Justices of the Peace help local people at key moments in their lives, such as when they enrol their children in school, buy a house, or access their superannuation,” Mr Speakman said.

“I’m incredibly pleased that this reform has now passed Parliament to ensure all JPs’ services continue to be acknowledged.”

There are over 94,000 Justices of the Peace covering all corners of the state and the average age of a JP is 56. Albion Park and Albion Park Rail have the highest number of JPs in our electorate, with a total number of 240.

People can search for a Justice of the Peace in their area by visiting: www.jp.nsw.gov.au.