How to become a JP
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for appointment as a Justice of the Peace (JP) in South Australia you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be an Australian citizen;
- Be resident in South Australia;
- Be of good character;
- Undergo a National Police Check;
- Not be bankrupt or have applied as a debtor to take the benefit of the laws relating to bankruptcy;
- Not be disqualified from managing or being involved in the management of any company under the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth;
- Be able to understand the duties and powers of a justice;
- Be proficient in speaking, reading and writing in the English language to be able to -
- identify the nature of documents;
- read and understand instructions relating to your official duties; and
- seek advice about official duties.
- Live, work or volunteer in an area or community in which there is a need for a justice; and
- Provide two written references from referees that demonstrate they know you to be a person of good and reputable character.
Other Requirements
The role of the JP is to act as an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes. The Attorney-General may not accept your application if you are in an occupation where the witnessing of documents as a J.P. could result in potential or real conflict between your business interest and your duties and responsibilities as a J.P.
Applications from people in the occupations listed below will be considered only if the person can demonstrate in writing, how they will overcome any conflict of interest that may arise between their business interest and their duties as a JP.
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To ensure you understand the duties and powers of a JP, please read the JP Handbook (469KB, PDF, 68 pages) and Code of Conduct (408KB, PDF).
When you have read these documents and determined that you meet the eligibility requirements, please call Justice of the Peace Services on (08) 8207 1725 to obtain an application package.
The Application Process
Applications must be lodged with Justice of the Peace Services. You can expect the following process:
- application is checked for completeness (applications are considered complete when all forms and documentation are received by Justice of the Peace Services including the referee reports);
- an acknowledgement is sent to you;
- a criminal check is requested by Justice of the Peace Services from SAPOL;
- you undertake an assessment;
- your application is submitted to the Attorney-General for consideration;
- If the Attorney-General is satisfied you meet all of the requirements for appointment, a submission is made recommending that the Governor appoints you as a JP; and
- Following approval by the Governor, your appointment as a JP is published in the SA Government Gazette.
Following approval by the Governor
- written notification of your appointment is sent to you together with an oaths form;
- you must take your oaths* before an authorised person and return the form to Justice of the Peace Services within 3 months of your appointment date; and
- when your oaths form is received you will be sent an appointment package containing your appointment certificate, your identification number, the JP Handbook and the Code of Conduct;
You are required to comply with the Code of Conduct and refer to the JP Handbook when exercising your JP duties.
* Please note if you are appointed as a JP you cannot exercise your duties until you take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath as required by section 7 of the Oaths Act 1936. In taking these oaths you promise allegiance to the Queen.
