Law of Jersey

The law of Jersey has been influenced by several different legal traditions, in particular Norman customary law, English common law and modern French civil law. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a separate jurisdiction from that of the United Kingdom, and is also distinct from that of the other Channel Islands such as Guernsey, although they do share some historical developments. Jersey's legal system is 'mixed' or 'pluralistic', and sources of law are in French and English languages, although since the 1950s the main working language of the legal system is English. List of laws of Jersey Jersey's legislature, the States Assembly makes legislation affecting most areas of activity. The highest form of legislation made by the States is 'laws'. If a proposed Law is likely to be controversial, the general desirability of having new legislation on the topic may be debated before the law is drafted. The procedure for making laws is set out in the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey. Once the law is in draft from, it starts the legislative process as a projet de loi, which may be introduced to the States by a minister, any States member, a scrutiny panel or the Comité des Connétables. At the stage known as 'first reading', the title of the projet is read out and the projet is 'lodged au Greffe' providing a two to six week breathing space for members to read the draft law. Under Article 16 of the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000, the minister or other person lodging the projet au Greffe must make a written statement that the provisions of the projet are compatible with Convention rights or "make a statement that although [he or she] is unable to make a statement of compatibility, [he or she] nevertheless wants the States to proceed with the projet". At the next 'second reading' stage, there is a formal debate in the States chamber during which members consider the principle of the projet and then scrutinise the draft in detail. At 'third reading' stage there is an opportunity for minor drafting errors to be corrected.