People & Government

Jersey is a parliamentary democracy which is a dependency of the British Crown. It is a British island, but is not part of the United Kingdom. Nor is it a colony.

Constitutionally, its status is that of a Crown Peculiar. And because it is presided over by a Bailiff, its structure is that of a bailiwick. There are no political parties, no cabinet and no prime minister.

Jersey and the UK

While Jersey makes its own laws, it has pledged allegiance to the English Crown ever since 1066, when William Duke of Normandy became King William I of England.

Today, as Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is represented in the Island by the Lieutenant-Governor, through whom the Jersey and UK governments communicate.

Acts of the Westminster Parliament do not apply routinely to the Island. For convenience, though, UK legislation does, from time to time, include the Island directly or by extension by order of Her Majesty in Council. However, amendments are made as required, and consent must be given that the Island sends no representatives to Westminster.

Foreign policy

By convention, the UK has assumed responsibility for the Island's foreign affairs. But even in these matters, the United Kingdom only acts with the consent of the States of Jersey.

Accordingly, Jersey can, and frequently does, legislate independently to implement international agreements. In effect, therefore, its administration operates in parallel with that of the UK, rather than in subordination to it.

Jersey and the EU

Jersey is not a member of the European Union, but enjoys a special relationship with it. This is laid down in Protocol 3 to the UK's Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community.

Parliament

The Island's parliament is the States of Jersey, which consists of 53 elected members from a mix of island-wide and parochial constituencies. This number comprises 12 Senators, elected for six years, 29 Deputies, elected for three years, and 12 Constables (Connétables), also elected for three years.

The Constables are the civil heads of Jersey's 12 parishes, and oversee the Parish Assemblies, at which all ratepayers and voters are entitled to express an opinion. Income to maintain local services such as lighting, rubbish collection and welfare projects is derived from rates paid by property owners.

The States is presided over by the Bailiff, who is also head of the Royal Court. By combining what are in effect three roles - President or Speaker of the States, head of the judiciary and civic head, the Bailiff is regarded as Jersey's finest citizen. The Bailiff is assisted as head of the judiciary by a Deputy Bailiff and the 12 elected Jurats - judges of fact.

The States comprises the Bailiff, the Lieutenant-Governor, 12 Senators, the Connétables (Constables), Deputies, the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General. They all have the right to speak in the Assembly, but only the 53 elected members (the Senators, Conné tables and Deputies) have the right to vote.

Executive government

In December 2005 a new system of government was established in Jersey. The old Committee system was abolished and replaced by a new Council of Ministers working alongside Scrutiny Panels. There are still 53 States members. A maximum of 23 members can be in ministerial positions either as Ministers (ten members) or Assistant Members (up to 13 members). Up to 20 other States members can sit on the Scrutiny Panels.

Taxation

Jersey residents pay annual income tax to the States - albeit at a lower rate than their counterparts on the British mainland. Although Value Added Tax is not levied in the Island the States have agreed to introduce a broad based 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST) as from 2008. This is a major reform of Jersey's tax structure as the Island becomes less dependent on direct taxation as its main source of funding for public services.

Population and language

At the last Census, taken in 2001, 87,186 people lived in Jersey and just over half (52%) were born in the Island.

The primary language of commerce and everyday life is English. However, some residents - especially older people living in the rural areas - still speak the native Jersey French, or jèrriais, which is a blend of Norse and Norman French.

Until the 1960s French was still the official language of Jersey, and it continues to be used in courts of law and by the legal profession. Most street names in Jersey also remain in French.

If you would like to know more about Jersey, please go to States of Jersey Government