JPs technical bulletins
The JP Branch has developed a witness certificate that provides information to the Lender to assist in the identification of the borrower without requesting personal details of the witnessing officer.
On 1 December 2009, a new scheme for victims of violent crime in Queensland commenced. A new unit, Victim Assist Queensland, was established within the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to administer the scheme.
The Justices of the Peace Branch has identified an issue that may affect Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners for Declarations (C.decs) in their role when assisting the community.
The JP Branch has identified areas where Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations could improve witnessing procedures when witnessing Family Law Court documents.
The Justices of the Peace Branch has received enquiries from JPs and Cdecs in the community regarding the new Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
As a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations in Queensland it is important to remember you have access to many support networks to assist you in your duties.
Both the Financial Assistance Application (Form 1) and the Funeral Assistance Application (Form 2) require a Statutory Declaration to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, Notary Public or a solicitor.
Recently, the Justices of the Peace Branch (JPB) has been contacted regarding Muslim/Islamic wearing women wearing the niqab (veil) or full burka and how Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations are able to satisfy themselves as to the identify of that person.
Justices of the Peace (JP) Branch has introduced an incident report form forJustices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners for Declarations (C.decs) who wish to report an incident that occurred while performing their duties.
Justices of the Peace (JP) Branch has introduced a new notice to assist Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners for Declarations (C.decs) in cases where you are unable to witness land titles documents, either because the titles registry form is incomplete or the client has not provided adequate supporting documentation.
In early July 2009, the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages began using a new security-enhanced paper for certificates. This new paper, currently being used by Victoria, the Northern Territory and South Australia, will be introduced by the remaining Australian state and territory registries throughout 2009.
This bulletin has been issued to provide an accessible process for Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners for Declarations (C.decs) to familiarise themselves with the existing “Code of Conduct”. Abiding by this code is an expectation of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General whilst performing the roles and responsibilities of each.
This bulletin has been issued to provide information for a person who may witness an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) or Advance Health Directive (AHD) including Solicitors, Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations, to help understand their role of witnessing these important personal documents.
The Justices of the Peace Branch (JPB) continuously advises on issues pertaining to witnessing Statutory Declarations for Infringement Notices Photographic Detection Device Offence.
Due to differences in regions across the State there has been some confusion identified amongst issuing Justices of the Peace and applicant police officers relating to the end time of a search warrant issued for seven (7) days under section 155(1) of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000.
In 2008, the Justices of the Peace Branch implemented a mentoring program targeted at newly appointed Justices of the Peace (Qualified), and linked to the successful “JPs in the Community” program.
The Justice of the Peace Branch has introduced a number of key assessment changes for those applicants wishing to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) for the State of Queensland.
Since the introduction of logbooks to assist Justices of the Peace (Qualified) and Commissioners for Declarations in recording relevant information, inconsistencies have existed State-wide, as to what information should be recorded, particularly around a person’s passport number, credit card number or driver’s licence number.