Glossary

The Justices of the Peace Handbook contains a glossary of terms which is repeated here for your convenience.

Affidavit
Written statement sworn or affirmed by a person (the deponent) before a person who has authority to administer an oath or an affirmation. Affidavits are used in legal proceedings.

Affirm
Make a legally binding promise to a court that the contents of a document are true.

Affirmant
Person who affirms an affidavit.

Agent
Person who legally acts on behalf of another person.

Appointor
Person who gives another person legal authority to act on his or her behalf to make personal decisions.

Attest
Bear witness to, affirm the authenticity of, certify, ask a person to make an oath or solemn declaration.

Attest or witness the execution of a document (instrument)
Sign a legal document to verify that it has been completed according to law in your presence.

Attest or witness a signature
Sign a document to certify that it was signed by another person in your presence.

Attest
Bear witness to, affirm the authenticity of, to certify, to declare to be correct, true, or genuine.

Attest or witness a signature
Sign a document to certify that it was signed in your presence.

Attest or witness the execution of a document (instrument)
Sign a legal document to verify that it has been completed according to law in your presence.

Attorney
Person who accepts the legal authority to act on another’s behalf.

Bench Justice
JPs who have completed a special course of instruction and have been appointed by the Chief Magistrate to deal with certain proceedings in the Magistrates Court.

Declarant
Person who makes a statutory declaration.

Deponent
Person who makes an affidavit or deposition.

Donor
Person who gives another person legal authority to act on the donor’s behalf.

Enduring Guardian
Person who accepts the legal authority to act on another’s behalf to make personal decisions

Execute
Carry out, perform, make (legal instrument) valid by signing.

Exhibit 
Attachment(s) to a statutory declaration or affidavit.

Instrument
Legal document such as a will, a mortgage or power of attorney.

Jurat
Memorandum at the end of the document stating the place, date and person before whom a document is made.

JP identification number
The identification number the Department of Justice provides JPs on their appointment that is to be used with the JPs signature

Notary Public
Witness for overseas documents, particularly those for use in non-Commonwealth countries (may be likened to an international JP).

Revoke
Withdraw or cancel.

Signatory
Person who signs a document or declaration.

Statutory declaration
Written statement made in the form prescribed by section 14 of the Oaths Act 2001 (TAS).

Testator
A person making a will