Three Islanders put themselves forward for role of Jurats

  • Three candidates have put themselves forward for vacant Jurat’s role
  • Election will be voted on by States Members, lawyers, current Jurats and the Bailiff
  • Should the Bailiff preside over States sittings? Take our poll below

A RETIRED doctor, an ex-farmer and a university lecturer have put themselves forward to fill a vacant seat on the Royal Court’s bench of Jurats.

Dr Sally Sparrow, Eton Winston Le Brun, who worked in law firms in the Island after giving up farming in the 1980s following an injury, and Tim Kearsey are competing to replace retiring Jurat Jill Clapham.

The Electoral College – which consists of the Bailiff, the Jurats, the Constables of the 12 parishes, elected States Members, members of the Jersey Bar and solicitors of the Royal Court – is due to meet on Wednesday next week to elect a new Jurat.

As well as helping to administer public elections, Jurats devote their time to hearing criminal and civil cases.

Eton Winston Le Brun is one of the candidates

They also award damages and fines and determine the length of sentences for offenders.

Mr Kearsey, who has lived in the Island for 22 years, said: ‘There is a perception, which may not be completely unjustified, that Jurats come from a very narrow demographic. They tend to be older and/or retired and from a certain background.

‘This is understandable, as the demands of the job require one to have a certain amount of free time.

‘I am unusual in that I am only 41, but I am fortunate to be in a position to have the time, energy and wherewithal to offer myself for the post.’

Tim Kearsey (41) acknowledges that he is younger than most candidates

The 41-year-old, who has lectured at the universities of Plymouth and Buckingham, said that he hoped to be able to give something back to the Island by becoming a Jurat.

Mr Kearsey, whose proposer and seconder are Reform Jersey politicians Deputy Montfort Tadier and Deputy Sam Mézec respectively, is also campaigning for the Bailiff’s role as Chief Justice and President of the States Chamber to be separated.

Former farmer Mr Le Brun, who is known to his friends by his middle name of Winston, is also looking for a way to contribute to Island life.

He said: ‘I would just like to give something back to the Island. My late uncle Raymond Le Cornu was the Constable of St Mary and he went on to become a Jurat. It’s just about being able to serve my Island in some capacity.’

The JEP was unable to contact Dr Sparrow for comment.

Jurats will spend much of their time in the Royal Court

JERSEY’S Jurats serve to uphold an ancient tradition in the administration of justice in the Island, while also helping to run local elections and serving on a number of panels.

The office of Jurat was first created in the early part of the 13th century when, in a document known as the ‘Constitutions of King John’ issued in 1204, King John ordered that the Island elect their 12 best sworn men to keep the pleas.

From that time their role was legislative as well as judicial. They retained their legislative powers until 1948 when the States Assembly was reconstituted without them.

Jurats sit alongside the Royal Court judge to determine questions of fact in criminal and civil cases and also determine the level of fines, damages or sentence lengths for offenders.

In addition to this they often act as the ‘returning officer’ for elections, overseeing the voting process for each parish.

At least five Jurats and the Bailiff – known as the Superior Number of the Royal Court – will convene to hear the most serious criminal cases, while the ‘inferior number’ – the Bailiff and two Jurats – sit during less serious matters that are beyond the jurisdiction of the Island’s Magistrate.

In cases where two Jurats are divided over a question of fact, the Bailiff has the casting vote.

They also serve as members of the Island’s Licensing Assembly, granting liquor licences, the Gambling Licence Authority and the Probation Committee.

Jurats also sit on appeal panels relating to disciplinary decisions of the Attorney General in relation to the Honorary police and for disciplinary decisions of the chief of police in relation to police officers.

States Members have a vote on who becomes Jurats

  • The Electoral College – which consists of the Bailiff, Jurats, the Constables of the 12 parishes, elected States Members, members of the Jersey Bar and solicitors of the Royal Court – is due to meet on Wednesday 22 April to elect Jersey’s newest Jurat.
  • Candidates must first be nominated and seconded by proposers.
  • In cases where only one nominee is presented or there are as many nominees as there are available seats, that person or group is appointed.
  • When there is competition for a seat or seats then a meeting of the Electoral College is held in the Royal Court.
  • If the first ballot is tied the Bailiff calls for another vote.
  • If the next ballot also returns an even split of votes the Bailiff is then permitted a casting vote.
  • Anybody who contests the validity of a Jurats vote can present a ‘Remonstrance’ – a representation to the Superior Number of the Royal Court.
  • On appointment Jurats are required to take an oath of office before the Superior Number of the Royal Court. This feature of the process is likely to have been in place since 1204.
– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –