Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP today presented some of the state’s longest serving Justices of the Peace (JPs), Philip Freeman of Wahroonga, Mavis Pulis of Normanhurst and Philip Webb of North Turramurra, with certificates recognising 50 years of service.

JPs Christopher Capell of Wahroonga, Ashley Colvin of Killara, Ian Cross of North Turramurra and Joyce McElhone of Turramurra have also been acknowledged this year.

“It is a remarkable achievement to provide half a century of service as a JP, and one that deserves to be honoured,” said Mr Henskens.

“For 50 years, these seven Ku-ring-gai JPs have played an important part in the legal system and in our community by helping hundreds of people at key moments in their lives, such as when they buy a house, access superannuation or go to court.”

JPs serve as independent witnesses to documents people use for official or legal purposes. The primary functions of a JP are to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify that a copy of an original document is a true and accurate copy.

“There are nearly 95,000 JPs in NSW, together volunteering hundreds of thousands of hours to their communities and aiding the efficient functioning of our legal system,” Mr Henskens said.

The NSW Government introduced commemorative certificates for 50 years of service as a JP in 2012. Since then, more than 2000 certificates have been awarded.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said, “The commemorative certificate is a small way of saying thank you to our JPs for their outstanding contribution to the community.”

People can search for a JP in their area by visiting the online public register of JPs at: www.jp.nsw.gov.au.  A JP fact sheet is available in 12 languages on the website.