Being a Justice of the Peace

Justices of the Peace deal with many of the crimes that affect our communities and are a very important part of Scotland's justice system.

They are not lawyers or legal professionals. They are ordinary members of the community who give their time on a voluntary basis to deliver justice.

Justices of the Peace are appointed on merit

Applications are warmly welcomed from people of all backgrounds and reflecting all parts of the community.

By statute certain people are excluded from serving as a Justice of the Peace: 

  • If you are at or over the current statutory retirement age for Justices of the Peace, which is 70 years.  Justices of the Peace are expected to be able to complete a full 5-year term on appointment
  • Members of a local authority
  • Members of the Scottish Parliament
  • Members of the House of Commons
  • Members of the House of Lords
  • Those who have been the subject of sequestration or bankruptcy proceedings.

Successful candidates will be those who have demonstrated they have the necessary personal qualities to become a Justice of the Peace. Our online DVD Becoming a Justice of the Peace will give you an insight into the types of cases you will hear and the support and training you will receive in reaching decisions. You will also see how being a Justice of the Peace can bring benefits to you and your community as a whole.