Attorney General and Minister of Justice Senator Dorothy Lightbourne has called on justices of the peace to be mindful of the trust placed in them by those whom they serve.

Addressing a Manchester Lay Magistrates' banquet on Saturday, November 14, at Golf View Hotel, Mandeville, Senator Lightbourne reminded the new justices of the peace that their appointment was as much an honour for them as for the parish and was in recognition of the trust that members of the community placed in them as honest, upstanding citizens. "It is for you to ensure that they get quality and conscientious service, as you fulfil your civic obligations," she said.

"Being steeped in the history and culture of the communities in which you live and work, you will be called upon to perform invaluable service to the parish, drawing on your deep knowledge of your fellow citizens and their neighbourhoods," she said.

Senator Lightbourne noted that although a certain social status, and a level of honour, comes with the appointment, the office is purely honorary and JPs, despite the temptations, cannot accept payment for their services.

no monetary rewards

"You commit yourselves to serving without monetary rewards, and you should never forget that," she stressed. She said that serving their country well meant being honest and beyond reproach and urged the 37 newly commissioned JPs to be careful about signing documents for persons of questionable character. These include deportees who obtain new passports in fictitious names or that facilitating persons to carry out acts of fraud against private individuals, businesses, or the State.

Senator Lightbourne also cautioned them against giving recommendations to persons to enlist in the security forces knowing they are "bad eggs". "Resist signing documents which enable persons convicted of serious crimes to change their names by deed poll to apply for passports, gun licences or other transactions in new names."

She also stressed that as white-collar crimes such as fraud and identity theft increase and as the need grows for stricter documentation to limit the mobility of terrorists, human traffickers and their victims, JPs have to be particularly careful.

Sylvia Lyn of Lyn's Funeral Home and Hargreaves Memorial Hospital with businessman Derrick Sinclair following the Lay Magistrates' Awards dinner.

Sheila Pike sports an African-inspired design that she bought at an African apparel store in the Grove Court Shopping Centre in Mandeville, Manchester.

Sheron Walker (left) and Justice of the Peace Angela Walker were also in attendance at the awards dinner.

Lay Magistrate Stanley Skeene and his wife, Joy, saw to the smooth seating of guests.

Christiana businessman and Justice of the Peace Ivan Green and Mrs Green pose for the camera.