Attorney General confirms lack of private prosecution law

Saturday 28th February 2009, 9:55AM GMT.

THERE is no mechanism in Jersey to launch a private prosecution if the Attorney General decides not to pursue a case.

Attorney General William Bailhache told the States this week that private prosecutions were not part of Jersey law and added that there was a question mark over whether his decisions could be the subject of a judicial review.

Mr Bailhache gave the information in response to a question by Senator Stuart Syvret, who asked what appeal mechanism was open to alleged victims of crime if the Attorney General decided not to prosecute.

Mr Bailhache said that private prosecutions could not take place in Jersey, unlike in England as the laws were different.

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