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Bill to localise JP system endorsed
The Executive Council has endorsed the Justices of the Peace (JPs) Bill which seeks to provide a local statutory basis for the appointment of JPs and to update their powers and functions.
At present, JPs are appointed by the Governor under Article XIV of the Letters Patent as a form of recognition of an individual's standing in the community. The system has proven over time to be one of the most effective ways of promoting community service by individuals.
"We propose to enact a local JP Ordinance to enable the system to continue after June 30," a Government spokesman said today (Friday).
The Bill provides for the appointment of JPs by the Governor. It also sets out the conditions under which the Governor may revoke the appointment of any JP and transitional arrangements for existing JPs.
The Bill further seeks to remove the obsolete judicial/quasi-judicial functions of JPs, and to transfer to Commissioners for Oaths the power of JPs to administer oaths and declarations.
"Over the years JPs have accumulated a wide range of judicial/quasi-judicial functions under various local ordinances which are no longer exercised by lay JPs with the development of a professional judiciary.
"The Bill sets out the current duties of JPs, such as to pay visits to prisons, detention centres and other institutions and also provides that they shall perform other functions as directed by the Governor," the spokesman said.
The Justices of the Peace Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on March 19,
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