*****IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR ALL HONORARY JUSTICES FROM RVAHJ******
Revised RVAHJ Office Service – During Stage 3 & 4
In response to the recent Stage 3 & Stage 4 Coronavirus guidelines from the Government, the RVAHJ has implemented a range of changes to the way we operate and provides the following advice to members:
Elwood Office
The Association Office in Elwood is closed until the Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne are removed or relaxed:
- Cathy has been set up to work from the safety of her home
- We are no longer providing witnessing and certification services from Elwood
- Phone calls are diverted to the answering machine and checked regularly
- Email to [email protected] is the best way to communicate with the office
- Association operations for members are still functional and we are operating “business as usual” in most instances
- For urgent issues or concerns, members should call the President on 0418 885 122, Secretary on 0458 222 673 or reach out to any of the other Board Members
We have implemented a comprehensive Covid 19 Safe Plan for the Elwood Office. It is likely that this will need to be in place as restrictions ease and we move back into the Elwood office.
Honorary Justices – Stage 4 Areas
Both Bail Justices and Justices of the Peace are now included as permitted workers under Stage 4 restrictions as identified on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
If you do need to leave your house to travel to and from a police station (for Bail Justices) or to meet a member of the public to provide Justice of the Peace services, you will need to carry your Bail Justice or Justice of the Peace ID card with you at all times.
Additionally, you will need to download and complete the permitted worker permit which is available at the Department of Justice and Community Safety website. To complete this form, please follow the instructions under the ‘sole trader’ category and provide your details as both the ‘employer’ and ‘employee’.
Wherever possible, JPs must provide their services remotely. Stat Decs, Affidavits and Powers of Attorney can be done remotely online following the new, interim processes. RVAHJ is developing further training and guidelines to support members.
Note that Certified True Copies, Medical Treatment Decision Makers and Advanced Care Directives cannot be remotely witnessed.
Remote (Online) Witnessing
In order to be able to continue supporting the community with some level of witnessing and attestation services, we are bringing together those JPs with the technical infrastructure and special willingness to take on a remote witnessing role. Training and guidance for this program is nearly ready. We are adding a booking calendar system so that members of the public can request and book time online with a JP.
If you would like to be part of this online witnessing service, please reach out to President Paul by phone or email to register your interest or for more information.
Tuesday Morning Zooms
The bi-weekly Zoom sessions are proving really helpful for those many members attending. It’s also been a great source of feedback and input for the Association.
We are continuing the Zoom sessions every second Tuesday at 10am. The next session is scheduled for 18 August.
We thank all JPs and BJs for your incredible commitment to the local community during this difficult time. Please keep up the great work – those who are unable to witness and those who can. But above all things, stay safe and look after yourself and your family.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Mracek JP FRVAHJ
President, RVAHJ