Justices of the Peace: Roles and Responsibilities

In Jamaica, a Justice of the Peace is a judicial public officer and he/she is governed by a Code of Conduct as set out under the First Schedule of the Justices of the Peace Act, 2018. In performing their duties, Justices of the Peace are expected to provide a valuable service to the Jamaican people while upholding the high standards, integrity and dignity of their office.

More than JUST a Signature

The role of the Justice of the Peace is not simply to sign documents. JPs perform a wide range of judicial and civic functions in their community. These responsibilities include:

• Authenticating documents – attesting and authenticating documents under the official seal, such as passport applications, passport-sized photographs and banking documents
• Serving in the courts – acting as lay magistrates in the Lay Magistrates Court and attending juvenile and petty court sessions
• Bail matters – considering bail applications, signing bail declaration forms, and making orders under the Bail Act
• Issuing search warrants – signing search warrants in support of law enforcement.
• Responding in times of crisis – a JP may read the Riot Act to a crowd during civil disturbances
• Serve on the Licensing Authority for Spirit Licence – not for Wholesale and Occasional Licences
• Visit Prisons/Lock-ups, Children’s Homes and Homes for the Aged – verifying that individuals in custody or who reside in state-care facilities are receiving adequate care and supervision to prevent abuse, neglect, or prolonged unlawful detentions
• Mediating disputes – helping to resolve conflicts within communities through legal guidance and restorative practices and in so doing ease the burden on the formal court system

Qualifications for Appointment

To be considered for appointment as a Justice of the Peace, a candidate must:

• Be a Jamaican citizen residing in Jamaica at the time of appointment
• Be fluent in reading and speaking English
• Be a person of unquestionable integrity who commands the respect and confidence of their community
• Have a demonstrated record of service to the community or the wider Jamaica, with the potential to continue that service

Application Process

Qualified individuals may apply or they can be nominated by clubs or organisations using the prescribed form, available online, to the Custos Rotulorum (Custos) of the parish in which the applicant lives or works.

The Custos may request a background check through the Jamaica Constabulary Force before forwarding the application to an Advisory Committee, which then recommends suitable candidates to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Successful candidates are required to undergo training at the Justice Training Institute (JTI) before being recommended to the Governor-General for appointment.

The successful applicant then takes the Oath of Office, receives the Instruments of Office, and is entrusted with the official seal.

All Jamaican citizens benefit from the services of Justices of the Peace as they offer their time and energy to voluntarily support the administration of justice at the community level.

For additional information contact:

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

61 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10

Phone: 876-906-4923-31

Toll Free: 888-587-8423

Email: customer.service@moj.gov.jm

Website: www.moj.gov.jm

Facebook: MOJOfficialJM

Instagram and X: @mojofficialjm