Jersey Law
Given the Island’s history, many areas Jersey’s law are steeped in Norman customary law. However, increasingly the Island’s legislators rely heavily on English statutes when drafting local laws. As a result, some areas, such as company and trust law have many similarities to their English counterparts.
The senior court on the Island is the Royal Court, which sits in both a civil and criminal capacity. The Royal Court is presided over by the Bailiff or the Deputy Bailiff or a Commissioner, usually an English QC appointed to hear a particular case. There is also a Magistrate’s Court, which deals with more minor criminal matters and a Petty Debts Court for smaller civil claims. There is a right of appeal from the Royal Court to the Jersey Court of Appeal and in limited cases a further level of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England.
| Links | |