Give us feedback

Providing feedback about a JP or Cdec

If you’d like to make a complaint about a JP or Cdec, you can make it in writing:

• with the online complaints and compliments form
• to jp@justice.qld.gov.au.

If you can’t put it in writing, you can make a complaint over the phone by calling the JP Info line on 1300 301 147.

If you’d like to make a suggestion or give a compliment, you can:

• use the online complaints and compliments form
• email jp@justice.qld.gov.au
• call the JP Info line on 1300 301 147.

What you can complain about

We focus on complaints about:

• whether a JP or Cdec can continue to hold the office
• professional conduct and behaviour relating to the role and obligations of a JP or Cdec when providing witnessing services
• a JP or Cdec’s personal behaviour, private dealings or disputes that relate to their role
• other matters as deemed appropriate.

We don’t deal with complaints about:

• behaviour that should be reported to an investigatory or regulatory agency
• alleged criminal conduct that should be reported to the police.

If the JP or Cdec is ultimately convicted of a criminal offence or an adverse finding is made against the JP or Cdec we may review the person’s appointment.

Standards required for JPs and Cdecs

All JPs and Cdecs are expected to follow the JP and Cdec code of conduct made under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991.

The Code of conduct’s aim is to further promote a higher standard of practices, principles, professionalism and consistency of JP and Cdec procedures.

Getting a response to your complaint

We will acknowledge your complaint within 3 business days of receiving it. We will let you know if we cannot deal with your complaint within 3 weeks of us receiving it.

Finalising a complaint about a JP or Cdec will generally take longer. This is because we usually need to write to the JP or Cdec and provide them time to respond.

Unreasonable or vexatious conduct

We are focused on reaching an outcome for you as quickly as possible. To help us, we ask you to be respectful and provide all the information we need to make a decision.

Our Managing unreasonable or vexatious conduct policy outlines what is unreasonable or vexatious conduct and how we manage it.

Outcomes you can expect

If we accept your complaint, our response will generally fall into one of the following categories:

• Recording the complaint and deciding not to take further action at the present time.
• Sending a reminder letter to the JP about correct procedure or conduct.
• Sending a warning letter to the JP that another breach may result in the review of their appointment.
• Reviewing the JP’s appointment. Following a review of a person’s appointment, the Attorney-General may recommend to the Governor that the person be removed from office as a JP or Cdec.

We do not generally provide you with details of the outcome of your complaint. This is because disciplinary matters against a JP or Cdec are confidential.

If a JP is removed from office by the Governor, this information is made public on the Queensland Government website.

Review of an outcome

If you're not satisfied with the outcome, you can request an internal review of the complaint by a managing officer of the Justices of the Peace Branch.

If you are still not satisfied, you can contact the Queensland Ombudsman:

• phone (07) 3005 7000 or free call 1800 068 908
• visit the Queensland Ombudsman website .

They will assess your complaint and tell you if they can conduct an external review. Some matters are out of scope for review under this complaint management system—see the list of out-of-scope matters.