Demand for Warwick JPs skyrockets
AT some point in a person’s life, they will need a signature from a Justice of the Peace.
From statutory declarations to arrest warrants, there are few legal documents that don’t need a signature from a JP.
In Warwick alone there are 40 volunteer JPs, who signs thousands of documents free of charge every month.
Brendan Holland is proud of the JP at the end of his name.
“People can bring us any forms that need witnessing by a JP,” he said.
“At night once the courthouse is closed, the police can come and see me to get search warrants, arrest warrants signed.”
Since 2010, there’s been a JP table in the Rose City Shoppingworld.
In the past 12 months, the demand for JPs has increased significantly.
From January to March last year, the volunteer JPs signed 170 documents for 59 shoppers.
In the October to December period, they signed 1230 documents for 379 shoppers.
Queensland Justices Association Warwick branch chair Julia Keogh said the group was trying to get a similar service set up to meet demand in Stanthorpe.
She also hopes to link with schools to encourage and set up training for the next generation of JPs.
JPs are in the Rose City Shoppingworld on Tuesdays from 12.30pm–2.30pm, Thursdays from 4pm–6pm and Saturdays from 9.30–11am.
