NEW JUSTICES OF THE PEACE SWORN IN

President Sandra Mason issued a stern warning to newly appointed Justices of the Peace (JPs) during their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, cautioning them against charging for their signatures or engaging in actions that could damage the integrity of their office.

Her remarks came at the first of several ceremonies, which will eventually see 100 JPs appointed that day and a total of 344 by the end of the week. This significant addition to the body of JPs will support their legal responsibilities, such as witnessing statutory declarations, powers of attorney, and signing warrants and affidavits.

She said, “You are expected to do your duty diligently,” she said. “[There are] Justices of the Peace who do a lot of things that they are not legally entitled to do. One is to charge people for your signature. If we hear about anyone doing it, I am sure Mr Abrahams here will agree with me that you should be prosecuted.

In support, the Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrhams, said “The office of JP is a serious office; historically, justices of the peace acted as magistrates, they resolved issues within districts, …they are persons who are supposed to be held in high esteemed in their communities.”