History of the ACJA

Foundation

In March 1970, the Lord Chancellor of England invited a representative from Australia to attend the first conference of Magistrates in London. Financial assistance was given by the Commonwealth Foundation. Victoria hosted a meeting of all State associations and two representatives were elected to attend.

 

Two Groups Formed

By this invitation, the Lord Chancellor created two groups. Firstly the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association; plus the creation of the Australian Council of Justices’ Associations. The “Australian” became the “Australasian” in 2008 with the acceptance of the Royal Federation of Justice Associations of New Zealand.

 

Growth

At first, not every State and Territory justice association joined the ACJA. Over a few years the membership grew to cover every State and Territory. In fact, now we have a number of associations as members from some individual States. Each jurisdiction takes turn to host the annual meeting.

 

Meeting as a Forum

During the growth of the ACJA, many issues of mutual concern have been discussed and member associations have benefited from this meeting together. Recently, a review has confirmed just how much the meeting is very much a forum and time is set aside at every meeting to have a workshop to consider the future of justices. The member associations represent some 250,000 justices of the peace throughout Australia and New Zealand.

 

Celebrations

Member associations recognize the milestones of each association and indeed of justices themselves. The history of the justice of the peace is very long and distinguished. There has been very little in the judicial area the justices have not done over the years.

In 1995 we celebrated the creation of the Justice of the Peace in an initiative from Michael Cheshire JP from Victoria. Media releases were created and merchandise was struck from which every member association used to help promote this major milestone.

Some 800 before, in 1195, Richard the Lionheart created Custodes Pacis (Keepers of the Peace) so he could travel to the Crusades and have some people in England looking after his subjects.

In 1998 South Australia was the first to celebrate their centenary. In 2010 Victoria will celebrate their centenary and in 2011 NSW will celebrate their centenary. Therefore the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices will be host for 2010 and will also nominate the president.

 

Roles of the Justice

The roles of the justice of the peace vary significantly around Australia. They vary from signing and witnessing documents, holding bail hearings, issuing search warrants, sitting as magistrates in the bench, prison visitors and much more. From the first settlement in Australia, the justice of the peace was the only form of justice for some time. They continue to provide valuable service to the community, with dignity, honesty, professionalism, and at no cost.

 

Cr Michael Cheshire JP

Past President - ACJA

December 2009

 

In 1964, The Royal Association of Justices' of South Australia called a meeting in Adelaide of Justices' Associations of all States. Representatives of all States were in attendance at the meeting.

Although the meeting recommended the formation of an Australian Association, because Victoria did not ratify the proposal, the matter did not proceed at that time.

There was no further action until March 1970, when an invitation arrived from the Lord Chancellor of England for a representative to attend the first conference of Magistrates in London. Financial assistance was offered by the Commonwealth Foundation. Victoria arranged a meeting at which all States were represented and John Turner was elected as Australian delegate and Ron Horne MBE from Tasmania as the alternate delegate.

The meeting further considered the formation of a national body and delegates took a recommendation back that a National body was desirable and agreed to meet again in June 1970. This meeting resolved to form the ACJA although on this occasion Queensland did not wish to participate.

Justices of the Peace attended the Commonwealth Magistrates ' Association Conference in - July 1970 as representatives of the ACJA.

Queensland finally participated in the ACJA in 1986.

Laurie Turnbull and Ron Horne were the only representatives who attended the original meeting in Adelaide in 1964 and who attended the ACJA meeting in 1987.

Some points of interest arising from the ACJA meeting held in Melbourne on October 7 1989; despite the airline pilot strike, a full compliment of delegates attended. Tasmania by air, NSW by car, Queensland by train, South Australia by train, Western Australia by bus. Mr Roy Christie of WA sat up in a bus for two and a half days coming over and would repeat the trip to arrive home - a marvelous effort. Victorian delegates had no transport problems!

To be a Justice of the Peace is an honour and privilege, not a right.

Justices should be easily traceable and clearly identified, which means a Registration Card complete with a registration number. This is most important in the signing of documents, also the printing of the name of the Justice of the Peace.

Continuing education is a must for both Administration and Judicial duties.

A. V. Sargent BEM JP
Past President ACJA 1987-88

© Australasian Council of Justices' Associations - Page last updated on 14 September, 2011