Council Marks Service of JPs

The Highland Council is holding a series of civic receptions to mark the service to communities of court and signing Justices of the Peace, many of whom are retiring as the result of changes, which took effect this week to lay justice provisions.

The first ceremony was held in Dornoch on Monday for Sutherland JPs and others will follow throughout the Highlands at venues of Highland District Courts, namely Wick, Tain, Dingwall, Portree, Inverness, Nairn and Kingussie.

44 JPs in Sutherland have retired, while three have accepted a five year appointment as a JP under the new system which involves agreeing to undergo training and carrying out court duties.

Before the changes, Justices of the Peace had two roles.  Some presided over the District Courts, while the majority, were signing JPs ie signing important documents, such as oaths, matrimonial papers, different types of application forms, and a wide variety of different statutory declarations and documents which require signature authentication

From Monday, the responsibility for signing these documents will fall to court JPs and the 80 Councillors, who serve on The Highland Council.

At the Dornoch ceremony, Councillor Robbie Rowantree paid tribute to the service of JPs. He said: “It’s the end of an era. The voluntary service of justices to the local community, whether sitting on the bench or by signing documents, is greatly appreciated and has been an outstanding commitment to public service in the area over many years.”
 
The three Sutherland court justices who are continuing and who received paperweights are:-  Mr Herbert J Wallace, 58 Rheanbreck, Lairg; Mr Alexander S Morrison, "Strathisla", Rowan Crescent, Dornoch; Mrs Jane  Jamieson, Drynach, Ferry Road, Golspie.

Mrs Sally Keniston, Lairg, who is retiring from the bench now, also received a paperweight.

The other JPs received certificates noting their service to their communities.

Note:  The lay justice provisions of the Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act came into force on Monday 10 December.

From June of next year, the role of the district courts will be assumed by new Justice of the Peace Courts, which instead of being administered by the Council will be administered by Scottish Courts Service who administer the Sheriff Courts.