Jersey is constitutionally a dependency of the British Crown.
It is part of the British Isles but not part of the United Kingdom. It governs its own internal affairs and raises its own taxes, but the UK is responsible for the island’s defence, overseas representation and international affairs.
Jersey has its own legislative assembly – The States of Jersey – a system of local government through the parishes, and a completely distinct fiscal and legal system and courts of law. Jersey is not represented in the UK Parliament, so acts of Parliament only apply to the island if it is expressly agreed that they should do so.
There are 53 elected members. The States elect a Chief Minister, who nominates nine ministers to run the States departments. Ministers can appoint a total of 13 Assistant Ministers. The Council of Ministers have the power to make the decisions but all major changes to policy and new laws have to go to the States Chamber for debate and to be voted on by the 53 States Members.
Because the ministerial system concentrates power in fewer hands, the Council of Ministers is held in check by a set of panels devoted to scrutinising and monitoring States policies who can demand documents and to demand that witnesses appear in front of them. These Scrutiny panels are made up of most of the States Members who are not Ministers or Assistant Ministers and operate to some extent as an Opposition. Their meetings are usually open to the public.
The States Assembly is currently made up of the Bailiff, the Lieutenant Governor – neither are allowed to vote - 12 Senators, 12 parish Constables, 29 Deputies, the Dean of Jersey (who also does not have a vote), and as advisers, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General.
The Crown appoints the Bailiff who is the President of the Assembly and acts as its Speaker. He is also president of the Royal Court. The Bailiff has no political power but has the right to speak in the Assembly for the purpose of ensuring orderly debate. The Deputy Bailiff, also appointed by the Crown, acts in the Bailiff’s absence.The Lieutenant Governor is the representative of the Crown in the island and is the commander of the armed forces. He often attends the States but takes no part in debates. However, he can veto States’ decisions on matters concerning the special interests of the Crown.
The Attorney General and the Solicitor General are the Law Officers of the Crown and are appointed by the Crown. They have the right to speak but cannot vote. Points of law raised in debate are often referred to them for explanation and clarification.
The Dean is the head of the Anglican Church in Jersey and the chaplain of the Assembly. He has the right to speak on all matters of States’ business but cannot vote. By convention, the Dean speaks only on matters that directly affect the Church or moral issues.
