Justice of the Peace: Role, Salary, and Differences

Anyone who has needed to witness a statutory declaration or find someone to handle a minor court matter might wonder who exactly can help — and whether it costs anything. Across the UK and Ireland, volunteer officials fill these roles every day, yet the differences can be confusing. This article clarifies the distinct responsibilities of Justices of the Peace, Peace Commissioners, and Commissioners of Oaths, so you know who to contact and what to expect.

JPs in England and Wales: over 29,000 lay magistrates (2023) (Wikipedia) ·
Peace Commissioners in Ireland: over 400 (2025) (Citizens Information) ·
JP remuneration: unpaid (expenses only) (GOV.UK)

What is a Justice of the Peace in the UK?

A Justice of the Peace (JP) in the UK is a lay magistrate appointed by the Lord Chancellor to deal with minor criminal cases, family court hearings, and some civil matters (Wikipedia). Unlike professional judges, JPs are not required to hold a legal qualification. They serve part-time and unpaid, though they can claim travel and subsistence allowances under the Justice of the Peace Act 1997 (legislation.gov.uk).

In England and Wales, over 29,000 lay magistrates currently sit in magistrates’ courts (Wikipedia). The equivalent role in Scotland also exists, where JPs are lay magistrates with similar duties. The equivalent in Ireland is the Peace Commissioner (Citizens Information).

What is the equivalent of a justice of the peace in the UK?

The closest equivalent to a JP in the UK is the lay magistrate — same role, different name. In Ireland, the Peace Commissioner performs many of the same administrative witnessing tasks, but does not hear court cases (Citizens Information). In Australia, JPs are also lay volunteers who witness documents and may issue search warrants.

Who can be a Justice of the Peace?

No formal legal qualification is needed. Applicants must be of good character, between 18 and 65, and live or work within the court area (GOV.UK – become a magistrate). Training is provided, and appointees serve until 70.

The implication: A JP is a trained volunteer, not a legal professional — meaning the role is accessible to ordinary citizens but limited to minor matters.

How does a JP differ from a judge?

The core difference is remuneration and scope. JPs are unpaid volunteers who handle around 95% of criminal cases (summary offences). Judges are salaried professionals who deal with serious crimes, appeals, and family matters (GOV.UK – judicial salaries 2025–2026). A judge must hold a legal qualification; a JP does not.

Peace Commissioners in Ireland are also unpaid (Citizens Information), while judges in Ireland are salaried. The UK judicial pay award for 2024/25 was 6% for all office holders (Senior Salaries Review Body written evidence).

What this means: If you have a minor matter, a JP can handle it free of charge; for serious legal disputes, you need a salaried judge with full legal authority.

Is a Garda a commissioner of oaths?

A Garda (Irish police officer) is not automatically a commissioner of oaths. Only those specifically appointed by the Chief Justice can exercise that power (Citizens Information). Similarly, Peace Commissioners are civilian appointments — distinct from an Garda Síochána (Citizens Information).

Commissioners of Oaths in Ireland are typically solicitors or senior barristers, but others can be designated by the Chief Justice. Their role includes witnessing signatures and taking affidavits.

Is a Peace Commissioner an Garda?

No. Peace Commissioners in Ireland are civilians appointed by the Minister for Justice, whereas Gardaí are members of the national police force (Citizens Information). The two roles are entirely separate.

The catch: Just because someone wears a uniform does not mean they can witness your legal documents — check their appointment before relying on them.

Do Peace Commissioners get paid?

No. Peace Commissioners in Ireland are honorary appointees and receive no remuneration or compensation for their services (Citizens Information – Ireland’s official public services information). This is a key distinction from salaried judges. The role is strictly voluntary, similar to JPs in the UK.

The UK government schedule for 2025–2026 shows judges are salaried, ranging from £47,000 to over £150,000 depending on office (GOV.UK – judicial salaries schedule). JP allowances, meanwhile, are capped at £116.78 per day for loss of earnings (Wikipedia).

Justice of the Peace salary

JPs in the UK receive no salary. They can claim allowances for travel, subsistence, and loss of earnings, up to £116.78 per day (Wikipedia). This contrasts sharply with salaried judges who earn between £47,000 and over £150,000 (GOV.UK).

The pattern: Across the UK and Ireland, the volunteer roles cost the public nothing beyond expenses — a deliberate design to keep justice accessible at the community level.

How much does a Commissioner of Oaths charge in Ireland?

Commissioners of Oaths in Ireland are entitled to charge a fee set by legislation. While the exact amount may vary by statutory instrument, the fee is typically a fixed amount per document (e.g., €10 per oath or affirmation) (Citizens Information).

Two types of oaths exist: an oath sworn on a religious text, and an affirmation for non-religious individuals. Both carry the same legal effect.

What are the two types of Oaths?

An oath is sworn on a religious text (e.g., the Bible or Quran), while an affirmation is a solemn promise made without religious reference. Both are legally binding (Citizens Information).

What this means: You can choose the form that matches your beliefs — and in both cases, you pay a modest statutory fee, typically around €10.

Comparing these three volunteer roles reveals a clear pattern: one common thread of community service, but significant differences in payment, scope, and authority that matter when you need the right person.

The pattern: The UK relies on JPs for both court duties and document witnessing, while Ireland splits those functions between Peace Commissioners and Commissioners of Oaths — creating a more specialized but potentially confusing system.

Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from official sources

“A Peace Commissioner is an honorary appointment and those appointed receive no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services.”

Department of Justice (Ireland) – Citizens Information

“A Peace Commissioner is a person in your community who can help you when you need to get an official document signed.”

Citizens Information (Ireland’s official public services information)

For anyone in the UK or Ireland needing a document witnessed or a minor court matter handled, the right person is often a volunteer in your community — not a paid official. The distinction matters most when you need to understand who can help and whether you need to pay. For a UK resident, a JP will do the job for free; for an Irish resident, a Peace Commissioner acts without charge, while a Commissioner of Oaths may charge a statutory fee. Check your local list before you go.

Frequently asked questions