JP Code of conduct Page
Under Oath a Justice of the Peace commits to a code of conduct
1. Access to service
1) A Justice of the Peace must not unreasonably refuse to provide Justice of the Peace services and must treat all persons seeking such services with courtesy, dignity and respect.
2) A Justice of the Peace must deal with requests for Justice of the Peace services in a timely manner
2. Conduct and Integrity.
1) A Justice of the Peace must not engage in dishonest activities or conduct him/her self in such a way as to bring the office of the Justice of the Peace into disrepute.
2) A Justice of the Peace must keep safe and must not reveal information which is private, confidential, or commercially sensitive and which the Justice of the Peace has obtained when providing Justice of the Peace services, unless authorised by law.
3) A Justice of the Peace must remain independent and impartial when providing Justice of the Peace services
4) If a Justice of the Peace has a personal, family, financial or business interest in a matter before them and is satisfied there is a conflict of interest, the Justice of the Peace should decline to provide such services in that matter.
5) If the term of appointment of a Justice of the Peace expires and the person has not been reappointed, or if the Justice of the Peace has been removed from the office by the Governor General, the person must immediately cease providing Justice of the Peace services.
3 Financial and personal benefit
1) A Justice of the Peace must not charge a fee or accept a gift for providing the Justice of the Peace services.
2) A Justice of the Peace must not use the title of "Justice of the Peace" to advance his/her business, commercial or personal interests, but a Justice of the Peace may use the title Justice of the Peace (JP) after his/he name on a business card or letterhead (whether in hard copy or electronic form).
4 Knowledge and competence
1) A Justice of the Peace must be familiar with and follow the provisions in the Department of Justice's publication "Justice of the Peace Handbook" and in any guidelines issued by the Minister with respect to the exercise of specific functions by Justice of the Peace under the act.
2) When providing Justice of the Peace services, a Justice of the Peace must clearly record his/her Justice of the Peace registration number together with his/her full name and signature on the document.
3) A Justice of the Peace must never witness a document unless he/she is satisfied as to the identity of the person and has seen the person sign the document.
4) Where an Act of Parliament provides that a declaration or instrument be signed or attested by a Justice of the Peace, the Justice of the Peace must do so in accordance with any instructions under the Act, and any instructions on the declaration or instrument.
5) A Justice of the Peace must not offer legal advise in his/her capacity as a Justice of the Peace.
5 Notifications.
1) A justice of the Peace must, as soon as practicable after;
- being convicted of a criminal offence, or
- being found to have acted dishonestly by any court, tribunal, inquiry, regulatory agency, complaint handling or dispute resolution body or professional business, trade or industry association, or
- becoming bankrupt or making a debt agreement or personal insolvency agreement under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth, or
- being disqualified from being holding a license, registration, certificate or membership in relation to any profession, business, trade or industry,
Must notify the NSW Department of Communities and Justice in writing of the matter
2) A Justice of the Peace must notify the NSW Department of Communities and Justice in writing of any of the following changes as soon as practicable after that change;
- a change to the name of the Justice of the Peace
- a change to his/her postal or email address
- a change to the telephone number on which the Justice of the Peace can be contacted in relation to the Justice of the Peace services