Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has issued a stern warning to newly appointed Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners of Oaths and Affidavits regarding the misuse of their appointments for personal gain.
During a recent program, Nandlall revealed that multiple complaints have been made to his office about certain appointees overstepping their roles and exploiting community members. “These appointments were never meant to turn people into commercial operators,” he emphasized, stating that the intention was to help communities rather than charge exorbitant fees or establish offices akin to practicing lawyers.
Nandlall clarified that the appointments were made to fill a long-standing gap and came with specific guidelines. Each JP and Commissioner was instructed to provide basic legal witnessing services, such as witnessing signatures, and to assist citizens who may lack easy access to legal counsel.
He firmly stated, “You are not lawyers.” Reports have surfaced of some JPs and Commissioners setting up offices, erecting signboards, and offering services beyond their legal remit, including issuing notices to tenants and landlords, which he deemed unauthorized legal practice.
“If you’re pretending to be a lawyer and collecting money for legal work, that’s fraud,” Nandlall warned, indicating that those who misuse their appointments risk having them revoked. He reminded appointees that the Ministry has already provided training sessions and relevant legislation to ensure they understand their responsibilities and limitations.
“These appointments can and will be revoked if this abuse continues,” he cautioned, emphasizing that appointees were meant to serve the public good, not to establish commercial operations.
Nandlall urged appointees to adhere strictly to their designated duties and avoid actions that could result in criminal charges, including obtaining money by false pretenses and practicing law without authority. “I’m appealing for good sense to prevail,” he concluded, reminding them of their primary purpose: to help their neighbors, not to break the law.
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