House Passes Act to Give Councillors and Mayors Powers of JP

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives on Tuesday September 20 passed the Attestation of Instruments (Facilities) (Amendment) Bill to give parish councillors and mayors the powers of Justice of the Peace (JP).

Under the Bill, councillors and mayors of municipalities will be able to verify and attest documents for the period they hold office.

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who piloted the legislation, said it will increase the number of officials, who can certify documents, therefore making it easier for citizens to carry out their business and access crucial government services.

He noted that JPs play a vital role in verifying documents, which enable persons to open bank accounts, obtain jobs, loans, passports and other forms of documentation, but there are just not enough of these personnel to serve Jamaicans, especially in rural areas.

He said that the island’s 227 parish councillors and mayors are in a strategic position to assist in remedying the situation due to the nature of their duties.

In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague supported the amendments made to the Bill.

“As a former councillor, I know the importance of councillors getting this authority to assist persons, especially in deep rural communities, who do not have the luxury of having JPs in some of these communities,”  Mr.  Montague said.

Minister of State for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Michael Stern, while supporting the Bill called for a review of the process by which JPs are appointed.

“I think that the process needs to be evaluated because something has gone wrong with it. We are looking for honourable people within communities, of good stature and are role models,” Mr. Stern said.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House, Michael Peart, expressed concern about councillors being given the powers of a JP without the proper training.

“I recommend that in the law, it is stated that each one … goes through the fit and proper training and if they don’t … that means they can’t become appointed,” Mr. Peart suggested.

Mr. Chuck, in response, said that, “both political parties could contribute to that process and therefore there should be no problem once they are elected that it is done."

The Bill was passed without any amendments.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter