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The Government of Jersey (To go
straight to the structure of our States, click here) Background leading to
our independent status By the 900s Vikings and Norsemen had migrated southwards and settled in the area of France known as Normandy. By 911 Charles the Simple of France ceded Normandy to King Rollo, leader of the Norsemen, and Rollo's son, William Longsword annexed the Cotentin Peninsula and the Channel Islands into the Duchy of Normandy. |
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In 1066 William, Duke of
Normandy, defeated King Harold and England fell under Norman rule. In 1204
the King of France reclaimed Normandy and the Channel Islands retained their
allegiance to the English Crown (our Duke of Normandy). It is at this time
that a long period of hostilities between France and England began and the
Channel Islands suffered sustained attacks causing great misery and
suffering. In 1341, Edward III
issued the following Royal Charter: 'Mindful of
the fidelity of our beloved men of the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and
Alderney and of how much they have lost and endured in bodily peril in
defence of our lawful rights and honour, we grant on behalf of ourselves and
our heirs the concession of all liberties, immunities, exemptions and customs
given by our forbears, the Kings of England, or other legal authority,
sanctioning the having and holding of them by the island inhabitants without
impediment or molestation by ourselves, our heirs and our servants whomever
they be. Lawfully confirmed 10th July, 1341' This and subsequent Royal Charters, ensured the independence of the Channel Islands and gave us important privileges, including the right to duty free trade with England and freedom from English taxes. While we are under the 'protective arm' of the UK Government, and are represented by them in matters of international relations, island authorities are consulted before any agreement is reached which would apply here. |
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Structure of the States of Jersey Up to date full listings of States members can
be seen by visiting here Click on the red button to read a little more |
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Deputy Bailiff |
Attorney General |
Solicitor General |
Dean of Jersey |
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12 States Senators (serve for a 6 year period in total) |
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29 Elected deputies (serve for a 3 year period) |
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12 Elected Parish Connétables (serve for a 3 year period) |
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(Currently Lieutenant General
Andrew Ridgway, to be superseded in 2011 by Sir John McColl) It is the Lieutenant Governor's role to act as the monarch's personal representative and he is the official link between the Crown, the States of Jersey and the UK Government. The Lt. Governor has the right to speak in the States assembly but not the right to vote (this is only for elected members of government). |
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(Currently Michael Birt) Deputy
Bailiff (Currently William
Bailhache) These are Crown appointments and share the responsibility of presiding over the States Assembly and the Royal Court. The Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff have the right to speak in the States assembly and also have a casting vote. |
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(Currently Timothy Le
Cocq QC. Sworn in 10th November 2009) Solicitor
General (Currently Hoard Sharp
QC. Sworn in 8th March 2010) Again, these are Crown appointments. The Attorney General and Solicitor General act as legal advisers on behalf of the States and the Crown, but as non-elected members do not have the right to vote. |
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(Currently The Very
Reverend Robert Frederick Key. Appointed 6th October 2005) Again, as a non-elected member of the States, the Dean has no right to vote. |
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General elections are
held every three years, at which time all States Deputies will stand for
re-election and half of the Senators (the remaining six will stand for
re-election 3 years after that). Senators
(12) Up to date full
listings of States members can be seen by visiting here. At the moment these are: |
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Terence Augustine Le
Sueur Paul Francis Routier Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf Terence John Le Main Ben Edward Shenton Frederick Ellyer Cohen |
James Leslie Perchard Alan Breckon Sarah Craig Ferguson Alan John Henry Maclean Bryan Le Marquand Francis du Heaume Le Gresley |
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Deputies
(29) Deputies are elected in
the Parish in which they preside (the larger Parishes being separated into
districts). For up to date listings please visit here |
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Connétables
(12) The 12 island Parishes each have their own Connétable who presides over an Assembly of Principals, dealing with Parish affairs such as welfare payments, street lighting and the honorary police force. As elected States members, they have the right to vote.
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For further information
regarding Jersey government, please visit their website here for an idea of the structure and workings of government. Alternatively, the States of Jersey Government provides a more generalised view of island life. |
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Some graphics on this page are from Jersey Crest and all written content subject to copyright. All rights reserved. Contact me here. |