Attorney-General William Bailhache called for the introduction of a written understanding to protect Jersey’s future interests in a changing international landscape, but Policy and Resources president Senator Frank Walker insisted that the question was a political one on which his committee was ‘not remotely close to a decision’.
Senator Walker said: ‘The Attorney-General’s view is one – there are others.
Many believe that the current position, uncertain as it, suits Jersey well.’ The two senior Island figures, each of whom has represented Jersey internationally, aired their differing views at a major Jersey Law Review conference in London, held to discuss past, present and future aspects of the Channel Islands’ unique legal systems.
The conference was the first of its kind to be staged by the board of the publication, which is edited by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, and was arranged to coincide with the 1204-2004 celebrations marking 800 years of Jersey’s special relationship with the Crown.
Addressing an audience of judges, lawyers, academics and politicians at the Reform Club on 2 July, the Attorney-General placed his remarks in the context of recent pressures on Jersey over international finance agreements, the changing nature of the three-way relationship between Jersey, the UK and the EU, and the recent approval of powers for the Island to negotiate treaties in its own name.
