Plans to improve Justice of the Peace services – FBC News

(File photo)

The Ministry of Justice is working to improve the accessibility of Peace Justice (JP) services in all communities.

Minister Siromi Turaga says there are currently 596 JPs nationwide, of which 278 are in the Central and Eastern Division, 215 in the Western Division and 68 in the Northern Division.

Turaga says they expect to increase these numbers in response to the increase in applications they have received.

“We have gone through our awareness and talanoa session and contacted members of the communities on the need for those former officials or people in the community to apply for JP so that they can expedite the services. A good example is that on Koro Island there is only one JP, on Gau Island only one and on Levuka few.”

Turaga added that through continued talanoa sessions and awareness efforts, they aim to increase the number of JPs this year to meet the rising public demand.