Answer to Question #22

A young person arrives to make a statutory declaration, but appears nervous and uncertain about the process. How should you BEST approach the situation?

1. Reassure the young person, explaining the declaration is a simple formality.
2. Proceed quickly with the declaration to minimize the young person’s discomfort.
3. Engage the young person in conversation to assess their understanding of the declaration.
4. Contact the young person’s parent or guardian to confirm they consent to the declaration.

Answer C

Rationale: This scenario assesses the JP’s sensitivity and ability to interact appropriately with clients, particularly young people.

Ministerial Manual Section 5.11 states: “There is no statutory minimum age limit for making a declaration… If a child is brought to you… you need to make an ordinary (layperson’s) assessment of the child’s ability to describe what telling the truth means and to make a promise to do so. It can be helpful to talk with the child a little bit before drawing a conclusion.” This highlights the importance of individualized assessment and communication. Therefore, the most suitable approach is c): engage the young person in conversation. This allows the JP to assess their understanding, address concerns, and ensure they understand the serious nature of a statutory declaration and feel comfortable and capable of making the declaration.