Justices of the Peace are neither a title nor a symbol of social status in Australia. They have no privileges except to perform their duties voluntarily. Simply put, a justice of the peace is a person who is approved by the relevant government departments and is qualified to witness legal documents or copies of supporting documents.
Justices of the Peace are a group of people who are enthusiastic about public welfare undertakings. Their main duty is to prove that copies of legally binding documents are consistent with the original ones for those in need. In Australia, people need a large number of supporting documents and their copies when dealing with immigration, house purchase, litigation, taxation and other issues in their daily lives. It is a complicated and tedious matter to prove that these copies are true and correct. Inevitably, we can only rely on a few lawyers or fewer impartial lawyers. What's more, lawyers and impartial lawyers usually charge fees for these things. It is this demand that creates the existence of Justices of the Peace.
A sheriff doesn't need much skill in his job. They are responsible for witnessing the authenticity of the documents, but they don't care about the correctness of the contents. When handling authentication documents, the sheriff should ensure that the copy is consistent with the original; The filling position of the document cannot be left blank to prevent it from being filled by other contents in the future; Writing paper must conform to the standard, prevent it from being altered afterwards, do not write with pencils, prevent it from being altered afterwards, and so on. According to the law, all services provided by the sheriff must be free.
The main law regulating public security in Australia is the Security Act of 2002. According to this law, each state has formulated the conditions for applying for the sheriff of its own state. Simply put, any Australian citizen who has reached the age of 18 and does not need to graduate from high school is eligible to become a justice of the peace if necessary, as long as he has not been sentenced to a certain period of time.
Take New South Wales as an example. Anyone who meets the following conditions is eligible to apply to be a justice of the peace:
1. At least 18 years old;
2. Nominated by NSW Members of Parliament;
3. Usually an Australian citizen;
4. Good conduct;
5. No bankruptcy record;
6. Allow the government to investigate its criminal record;
7. It is necessary for the unit to have judges in public security firms, such as ordinary staff working in law firms;
8. agree to publish your full name in the sheriff's register
Since State Councillors usually don't know the applicant directly, in order to get the nomination of State Councillors, it is common practice to have two letters of recommendation from professionals who are considered reliable in the society, such as registered lawyers, teachers and nurses who have worked for five years (JPs are not qualified to recommend other applicants to become JPs). After two such letters of recommendation, members are usually nominated. Therefore, on the whole, almost every well-behaved Australian can become a magistrate, but really becoming a magistrate requires a high degree of enthusiasm for serving the society, because a magistrate will not only get nothing from his work, but also be punished by imprisonment for up to two years if he makes mistakes or violates the regulations.
Justices of the Peace have a term of office of five years, and may apply for re-election before the expiration of their term of office. If you don't want to continue to serve or have any of the following circumstances, the title of magistrate will be revoked:
1) submit a written resignation;
2) Being dismissed by the government under the following circumstances: a) Bankruptcy; B) mental disorders; C) The crime committed in New South Wales was sentenced to imprisonment 12 months or more;
(3) Failing to take the oath within four months after receiving the notice of appointment;
4) The Minister of Justice thinks that this person's personality is no longer suitable for serving as a justice of the peace, such as the certification is not the original.
5) The Minister of Justice thinks that this person cannot continue to properly perform the duties of a magistrate;
6) The sheriff is subject to criminal proceedings.
References:
http://www.goingabroad.org/zz/XXLR 1.ASP? ID = 5469