Justices of the Peace — who can help people by certifying documents, witnessing signatures, administering declarations, and confirming identity — generally operate from their homes by appointment.
But in recent years, demand for ‘‘drop-in’’-style services has grown, to the extent that there are now 10 service desks operating throughout Otago, including five in Dunedin.
Last week, the Otago JP Association launched its fifth Dunedin service desk, running from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Mondays at Dunedin Community House, in Moray Pl.
The first Dunedin-based JP to staff the service was Raewyn Alexander, who was visited at the service desk by a steady stream of people during the session.
Otago JP Association service desks convener John Campbell JP said the concept of service desks had come about in the past 10 years, and was popular with the public.
‘‘There are people for whom it is not convenient to visit a JP in their home, or who want to pop in and see someone without needing an appointment,’’ Mr Campbell said.
Association registrar Russell Atkinson JP said having service desks operating at regular times in central locations in Dunedin worked well for everyone.
‘‘It means that people can pop in during their lunch hour to see a JP, get their documents signed, and be on their way,’’ Mr Atkinson said.
JPs tackled a wide range of tasks, and the most common ones were verifying copies of documents, and statutory declarations.
Specially-trained JPs could also preside in the district court and issue warrants, he said.
