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Freo's JP service: 13,685 documents signed in 6 months - all done in volunteer time

THE City of Fremantle's Justice of the Peace office - celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2008 - signed 13,685 documents in the first six months of this year, all done by people who volunteer their time.

Working out to about 111 documents a day, justices of the peace signed 8441 certified copies, 1894 statutory declarations, 1654 affidavits, 829 annexure/exhibits, 701 documents classified as “other”, 132 prosecution notices, summons or complaints and 34 warrants.

Appointed by the Governor, JPs carry out a wide range of official administrative and judicial duties in the community. The Fremantle JP office has 10 serving justices of the peace.

“When a JP is appointed, they swear an oath to serve the community, including a commitment to be available at all times,” City of Fremantle CEO Graeme Mackenzie said.

“Fremantle’s JPs all come from a variety of backgrounds and provide an integral link in WA’s judicial system.

“Given the amount of documents coming through our Fremantle office, it highlights just how important the JP service is to the overall community.

“It’s to their credit that all justices of the peace donate their time freely, giving something back to the public and helping them wherever possible.”

Fremantle Councillor John Alberti has been a JP for the past 10 years and was recently made president of the Fremantle JP branch, originally taking on the volunteer role to help elderly European migrants with their documents.

“Quite often they have documents from overseas that need to be translated and verified they are true and correct,” he said.

“One of the most common occurrences is people trying to bring in documents where they need to have known someone for a certain amount of time – people walk in and I have to tell them ‘I don’t know you, I can’t sign it’.

“But what I do love is when people say ‘How much do I owe you?’ and seeing the expression on their faces when I say ‘Nothing’.”

Harry Collins has been a JP for the past 15 years and is past president of the Royal Association of Justices of WA, along with being the second longest-serving president of the Fremantle branch.

“I became a JP because I wanted to service the community and I think giving is actually better than receiving,” he said.

“Sometimes you see the sadness of life when dealing with various matters but you get good stories and bad.”

Roy Morrish, a JP for more than 25 years and also a past president of the Fremantle branch, says he finds the role “very rewarding in lots of ways”.

“I get a lot of satisfaction because people really appreciate the help you give them and I enjoy helping others,” he said.

“Up until to July 2005, police could come around to the house at any time of the day, requesting a warrant to be signed.

“The phone would often ring in the middle of the night and you had to be ready sign documents but the legislation has now changed so police can do it themselves.”

JPs also assist magistrates at local courts with traffic-related offences, restraining orders and bail and sureties – under current legislation, they can only do this up to age 70, and process police work up age 75, but can continue to sign and witness private documents.

When considering the thousands of documents that have come through the Fremantle JP office in the past six months, Cr Alberti believes it could be a result of chemists no long being able to sign documents.

“They used to be able to sign various things as commissioners for declaration, so that’s possibly why it’s become busier now,” he said.
Mr Morrish praised the City of Fremantle for providing the office space for the service in the Town Hall Centre.

“The service is there for ratepayers, residents and anyone who needs the assistance of a JP, so it’s another way the council gives back to the community,” he said.

The JP office is located opposite Fremantle City Library at 8 William Street, Fremantle, and open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday. For enquiries, call 9432 8843.