Nandlall warns Justices of the Peace against abusing powers for profit

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has sounded a warning to newly appointed Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners of Oaths and Affidavits who he says are misusing their appointments for personal gain.

Speaking during a recent programme on Tuesday, Nandlall revealed that several complaints have reached his office about some appointees overstepping their remit and exploiting community members.

“These appointments were never meant to turn people into commercial operators,” the Attorney General stressed. “They were appointed to help their communities — not to charge exorbitant fees and set up offices like practising lawyers.”

Nandlall said the appointments, which were made to fill a long-standing gap, came with clear guidelines. Each JP and Commissioner was told that their role is to provide basic legal witnessing services — such as witnessing signatures — and assist citizens who may not have easy access to a lawyer or notary.

“We made it clear: you are not lawyers,” he said bluntly. “Putting up signboards, collecting big fees — that was never the intention.”

He disclosed that reports have emerged of some JPs and Commissioners erecting signboards, setting up offices, and offering services well outside their legal remit — even issuing notices to tenants and landlords, which he described as unauthorised legal practice.

“If you’re pretending to be a lawyer and collecting money for legal work, that’s fraud,” Nandlall warned, adding that those who continue to misuse their appointments risk having them revoked.

He reminded the public that the Ministry has already pointed appointees to training sessions and relevant legislation to ensure they understand their responsibilities and limits.

“These appointments can and will be revoked if this abuse continues,” he cautioned. “You were appointed to serve the public good — not to open a commercial centre.”

Nandlall urged appointees to stick to their intended duties and avoid any action that could lead to criminal charges, including obtaining money by false pretence and practising law without authority.

“I’m appealing for good sense to prevail,” he concluded. “Remember why you were appointed: to help your neighbours, not to break the law.”