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Justices of the Peace - Honorary Justices

Justices of the Peace and Bail Justices serve a semi-judicial function in all areas of the Victorian community. Collectively, Justices of the Peace and Bail Justices are known as Honorary Justices. Their main roles include: 

• witnessing statutory declarations
• witnessing affidavits
• hearing bail matters outside hours (Bail Justices only).

To find a Justice of the Peace in your local area click on the link in related pages.

 Justices of the Peace

Justices of the Peace (JPs) are recommended by the state Attorney-General and appointed by the Governor in Council. JPs authorise and witness statutory declarations and affidavits within Victoria.

There are currently more than 4000 JPs serving in Victoria, and the Attorney-General is always interested in receiving applications from past or present community leaders willing to become registered JPs. There is a large demand for people fluent in foreign languages and people from regional areas to become JPs, in order to improve access to JPs in Victoria's ethnic and rural communities.

Bail Justices

The role of a Bail Justice is to hear bail applications (under the Bail Act 1977) and applications for Interim Accommodation Orders for children (under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005) within Victoria. A Bail Justice can remain appointed until the age of 70 however applicants must be under 65. They are often required to rule on bail applications on weekends and late at night when the courts are closed, and also witness statutory declarations and affidavits.