Wanted: Justice of the Peace (JP)

20-Oct-2024 | By Antony Pisa

What role does a Justice of the Peace fill in the Victorian community? 

A Justice of the Peace (JP) is an independent and objective volunteer who is trained to act as an authorised witness to witness signatures on Statutory Declarations and affidavits and certify copies of documents for official or legal purposes.

If you are a qualified Victorian Justice of the Peace, do you know about the Outer Eastern Honorary Justices’ Association Inc?

The Outer Eastern Honorary Justices (OEHJ) Inc was Incorporated in 2010 to provide peer support to local Justices of the Peace, Bail Justices, Independent Persons and Independent Third Person Volunteers.

The Association meets bi-monthly to provide peer support while discussing updates to governance and new or changed document requirements. We also have guest speakers plus the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals.

What is a Document Signing Centre?

The OEHJ Inc. established the Outer Eastern Document signing services in 2010 to facilitate community members access to a Justice of the Peace.

Initially, there were nine services each week in the outer east but unfortunately, three of the services have been recently suspended due to fewer JP volunteers being available. Currently, document signing services are offered at Knox Civic Centre, Knox, and at Croydon and Lilydale Police stations. The days and times are listed on the Knox City Council’s webpage.

Each document signing service operates according to a roster of dedicated JP’s who volunteer their time. All OEDSS services are well patronised. Since commencing in July 2010, we have witnessed just under 280,00 documents! The demand is ever increasing and with more volunteers, we may be able to re-open the three suspended services to increase the services for the community members. 

So, this is a call out for any Justices of the Peace. If you are available to volunteer to join or be rostered from January 2025, please contact us by emailing at infor@oehj.com.au 

If you wish to meet with some of your fellow JP’s please come to the meeting on the AGM 1st October or 12th November. 

Contact the president Antony Pisa on 0400 539 146 or email infor@oehj.com.au for more information