More than 900 citizens have been commissioned as Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Jamaica since the start of 2021.

The country’s cohort of JPs commissioned for 2021 is now at 941 citizens, a big jump from the 617 commissioned in 2020.

The Ministry of Justice, in a statement, said it has engaged in an island-wide campaign to increase the number of JPs in the country and highlight the critical role they play in the administration of justice in Jamaica.

The parishes of St Andrew and St Catherine saw the largest number of newly appointed JPs with 229 persons and 207 persons being commissioned respectively.

Virtual sensitisation sessions were used to build their capacity by providing the JPs with useful information relating to land matters, estate matters, child abuse, domestic violence, tax administration, National Identification System and existing alternative justice services.

Online sensitisation sessions

To date, 2,229 JPs have benefited from five online sensitization sessions hosted by the ministry. JPs are exemplary citizens, who seek to promote and protect the rights of those they serve, as well as contribute to the ministry’s mandate of providing access to justice at the community level.

They provide useful information to their communities and perform an array of functions and duties including authenticating documents, serving as Lay Magistrates and serving on the Spirit Licensing Authority.

Citizens, who wish to become JPs, should complete the application form found on the ministry’s website moj.gov.jm and submit the completed form along with supporting documents to the Custos of their parish.