By Baba Sillah
Chief Justice Hassan B Jallow has tasked members of Notary Public, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for Oaths to live upright in their conducts, after they took oath of office to do so.
Justice Jallow made the request as he presided over the swearing- in ceremony of the said members at the High Court complex in Banjul, where the new members of Notary Public, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for oaths finally took their oaths in execution of their duties.
Addressing the ceremony after the swearing- in ceremony, Chief Justice Jallow reminded the said members to live up to expectations in executing their duties as they were selected out of many others who are capable of doing the job.
He postulated that it is because of their characters, conducts and skills they were called and entrusted with these responsibilities, while urging them to live upright to the oath they have taken to these three respective offices.
Justice Jalllow reminded them of their selection, which he said is designed towards the development of the country, but most importantly the general public in helping them deal with the preparation of their legal documents.
The Chief Justice promised the newly elected members that training will be provided to them so as to enable them to know their duties and responsibilities in their various offices.
Kebba S Fadera, who delivered the vote of thanks, challenged his colleagues to be fair in their conducts and not sign any document under duress.
A Notary Public is a public officer appointed by the Chief Justice and constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney , foreign and international business. A notary’s main functions are to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and statutory declaration among others.
Justice of the Peace is a volunteer of good character and standing in the community who has been appointed by the Chief Justice through the master of the Supreme Court. Their role is mainly focused on witnessing affidavits and statutory declarations, certifying true copies of original documents and certifying a person’s identity.
Justice of the Peace are also Commissioner for Oaths but at a smaller scale they should not authenticate documents going overseas.
Eight Notary Public members were sworn-in, fifteen Commissioner of Oaths and eight Justice of Peace.
