Queensland Justice of the Peace Course(10794NAT)

This course is suitable for participants who wish to apply to become a Queensland Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or a Commissioner for Declarations. The duties of a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) are not to be taken lightly. You have a vital and responsible role to play in the general community. You will at times be dealing with matters of crucial importance to people’s lives.

Duties fall into five main categories:

• Witnessing people signing documents as prescribed by law
• Certifying copies of documents
• Issuing summons and warrants
• Minor bench duties
• Attending at police records of interviews

Participants will gain the required skills and knowledge to be able to carry out the above duties effectively as per Queensland and Commonwealth Law.

Participants must be:

• An Australian citizen
• 18 years of age or older
• Of good character
• Registered on the state electoral roll.

According to the Act, individuals cannot hold office as a Commissioner for Declarations or Justice of the Peace (Qualified) if they:

• Have been convicted of a serious offence at any time (i.e. an indictable offence, irrespective of whether it was dealt with in the magistrates, district or supreme court)
• Have been convicted of more than 2 offences of any kind at any time
• Have been convicted of an offence of any kind in the last 5 years
• Have been convicted of an alcohol or drug driving offence in the last 5 years
• Have been convicted of more than 2 traffic offences in the last 4 years (i.e. convictions under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995)
• Are an undischarged bankrupt (i.e. not yet free from bankruptcy).

Examples of offences include all types of criminal offences, drug related offences, financial (tax or business related), social security offences, shoplifting, or failure to pay a TOLL fee within the stated period of time.

Note that for traffic offences, a person who pays an amount by the way of a penalty for an offence, is taken to have been convicted of the offence on the day the amount is paid

Individuals convicted of more than 6 offences under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 in a 4 year period, are not qualified to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or Commissioner of Declarations for 5 years after the date of the last conviction.

The Queensland Government administers all Justice of the Peace applications. All participants are encouraged to visit the following website prior to enrolling to confirm they meet application requirements. Additional application fees do apply. Please note you must apply within 2 years of successfully completing the course. Once your application is submitted, please allow approximately 3 months for approval.