Department of Justice and Community Safety wants locals to help support the judicial system

The role of a JP is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents. PICTURE: ON FILE

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is calling for volunteers in the Yarra Ranges to take on the role of Justices of the Peace (JP).

Online information sessions are set to be held over the coming month as part of the recruitment process for interested applicants.

“Justices of the Peace (JP) play an important role in our justice system, providing a valuable and accessible service to the community,” a DJCS spokesperson said.

“We want to ensure Victorians can continue to access the high quality JP services they deserve. That’s why we’re continuing recruitment in a number of areas including Yarra Ranges, where the numbers of JPs are not as high as we’d like them to be.”

The role of a JP is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents.

Justices of the Peace are appointed under the Honorary Justices Act 2014 by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Attorney-General. The Department of Justice and Community Safety supports the recruitment of Justices of the Peace and the delivery of services by JPs.

Funding from the Victorian Budget 2021/22 is allowing for the recruitment of 800 additional Justices of the Peace over two years.

This year alone almost 200 JPs have been recruited from Western Victoria and Yarra and Merri-bek local government areas (LGAs).

Recruitment will commence next month in the Brimbank, Casey, Maribyrnong and Yarra Ranges LGAs with information sessions to be held for interested applicants.

Justice of the Peace information sessions will be held on Thursday 29 June and Thursday 6 July.

For more information, and to take part in the recruitment sessions, visit https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Latest-news/Justice-of-the-Peace-information-sessions