Employer Obligations

The Employment Rights Act 1996 requires employers to allow Justices of the Peace time off in order to perform their duties as a Justice of the Peace. Justices of the Peace in Scotland commit themselves to sitting on the bench at least twelve times a year. It should be possible to plan for days when they will be absent as a result of their bench duties, since court rotas for justices are planned some time in advance.

Employers are not legally required to pay employees who are taking time off to serve as Justices of the Peace. However many choose to do so. This is in recognition of the fact that serving as a Justice of the Peace brings significant benefits to the community and benefits to employers.