BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

24 September 2014
BBC JerseyBBC Jersey - Ch'est eune vaque Jèrriaise
BBC Jersey homepage

BBC Homepage
England
»Jersey
News
Sport
Junior Football
Travel
Weather
Entertainment
Message Boards
Faith
Island Views
Features
My Island
My Space

Radio Jersey


Contact Us

You are in Jersey > My Island > Island Info> Government
SEE ALSO
News imageAbout Jersey
News imageJèrriais
AROUND BBCi
News imageLegends: St Helier
ON THE WEB
News imageJersey Tourism
News imageStates of Jersey
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

News imageHISTORIC SITES
Jersey War Tunnels
News image
Jersey has a rich history with a number of venues to show it off.
News imageJersey War Tunnels
News imageCastles
News imageHamptonne
News imagePANORAMIC VIEWS
Gorey Castle Panorama
News image
Panoramic views of historic sites and general views.
News imageGorey Castle
News imageLa Hougue Bie
News imageFOLKLORE
Caumine
News image
Ghosts, Gouls, Witches and Black Dogs.
News imageGeoffrey's Leap
News imageLe Perquage
News imageSpanish Ships
GOVERNMENT
Inside the States' Chambers
Inside the States' Chambers

Jersey is a direct dependency of the British crown. It is not incorporated into the United Kingdom, but it does owe allegiance to the reigning Sovereign.

The Sovereign is represented in the island by the Lieutenant Governor, but the island has its own legislative and taxation systems, which are a blend of Norman and English.

The States of Jersey

Jersey's government is the States of Jersey, which is one of the oldest legislative bodies in the world. Although the Lieutenant Governor attends the States, he takes no part in the debates.

Instead it is presided over by the Bailiff, who is appointed by the Crown. He is President of the Assembly and acts as its Speaker.

He is also President of the Royal Court. He has no political power, but he does have the right of speech. There is also a Deputy Bailiff, who acts in the Bailiff's absence.

As well as this, there is an Attorney General and a Solicitor General, who are law officers appointed by the Crown. They have the right to speak but not to vote, and often explain or clarify points of law raised during debates.

Elected independent members

The rest of the States is composed of 53 elected independent members. This breaks down into 12 constables, 12 senators and 29 deputies.

Each constable is civic head of one of the island's 12 parishes, as well as being head of the Honorary Police of that parish. The Honorary Police force contains Centeniers, Vingteniers and Constable's Officers, and they are there to assist the ordinary police.

Other officials unique to Jersey include the Viscount (who deals with bankruptcy and inquests), the Greffiers, who are clerks of the courts, and the States Assembly.

You are in Jersey > My Island > Island Info > Government

News imageprintable versionNews imagesend to a friend

Jersey Live festival 2004Catch up on BBC TV and Radio. Watch and listen now.


BBC Jersey website, 18 Parade Road, St Helier, JE2 3PL
phone: 01534 837228 | e-mail: jersey@bbc.co.uk | text: 07786 202888


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy