Justice of The Peace
Historically, and in particular before the founding of the police and the modern legal system, the concept of the Queen's peace was much more important. Knights of the Peace were appointed in each shire, and it was their duty to maintain the Queen's peace. These Knights of the Peace later became known as Justices of the Peace, or JPs, and subsequently as magistrates. In the United Kingdom, paid magistrates are now called District Judges, and are drawn from the ranks of local solicitors and barristers. Unpaid magistrates are volunteers from the community – the requirements are that they must be of good character and local residence.
Read more about this topic: Queen's Peace
Famous quotes containing the words justice and/or peace:
“Then not only custom, but also nature affirms that to do is more disgraceful than to suffer injustice, and that justice is equality.”
—Plato (c. 427–347 B.C.)
“My argument is that War makes rattling good history; but Peace is poor reading.”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)