Custos of Portland Roy Thompson has charged the 30 new Justices of the Peace (JPs) who were sworn in last month to carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour and not bring the justice system into disrepute.

"As role models in your communities you should lead from the front. Don't be a silent figure where you are only signing papers and you are only there to serve certain people and not doing what you are supposed to do," he told them.

He added further; "All the services you will offer will be free of charge, so be careful how you accept gifts as you should be wary of the gifts when they bring them, as they come and sweet you up and ask you to sign the wrong things and to do what you are not supposed to do."

Meanwhile, Senior Resident Magistrate Marjorie Moyston told the JPs that they would not have been called to serve if their reputations were not "rock sound".

"Your name would have been discussed in the community and everyone would know you are persons who are honest ...and you must never let anyone put you in a compromising situation," Moyston said.