Margaret River justices of the peace ask patience and respect as services come under increased demand

The town’s hardworking justices of the peace have reminded residents their duties are volunteer-based, as they face a surge in people needing official help. Speaking on behalf of a group of JPs who work out of the Margaret River Community Centre’s back buildings on Wednesdays, local realtor Mark Murray said patience among those needing documents signed and help with official matters would be appreciated. Mr Murray said as the shire population continued to grow, JPs were under more pressure than ever — and more pressure than was sometimes reasonable. “The community service role of a JP may not be something everyone understands yet at times we will all need one,” he said. “They sit very high in a community order, appointed by the State’s Attorney-General. “They are unpaid, therefore free of influence, and they undergo training and practice for their role.” While other JPs said more funding was needed to help volunteers fill the gap met by their services, Mr Murray said local JPs were just asking for greater understanding. JPs understood many residents misbelieved the officials were a State-provided service, but their roles were mostly voluntary. Some JPs reported petitioners fronting up at their regular place of work when urgent help was sought, which wasn’t always appropriate. Mr Murray said JPs always made themselves available when circumstances were dire — dealing with violence restraining orders, for instance — but otherwise protocol was appreciated. “JPs are among us in the community and importantly they want you to know that they would prefer that you find them at the Margaret River Community Centre on Tunbridge Street Between 11am and 1pm on every Wednesday,” he said. “That is not to say that you can’t reach out to one directly for more urgent matters. “JPs are people too, with jobs and lives, so let’s not put them under pressure — if your matter is not urgent and can wait until the Wednesdays signing centre day.” To find a JP in an emergency, visit www.wa.gov.au/service/justice/civil-law/find-justice-of-the-peace-your-area.