And Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq – who it was announced last month will succeed Sir William Bailhache when he retires as the Island’s civic head later this year – also urged Islanders to recognise that Jersey has ‘so much going for it’.
Charged with overseeing fairness both in the Island’s courts and the States Assembly, the Bailiff’s role is the oldest and highest position in the Island – dating back to the mid 1200s – and perhaps the most debated.
Over the centuries the role has evolved, but the Bailiff remains the Island’s top judge and continues to act as the Speaker in the States Assembly.
While the dual role remains, a casting vote in the States was removed in 2005.
Mr Le Cocq said he hoped to bring warmth and approachability to the role.
In his first interview since his appointment was announced, he said that he hoped Islanders could all move ‘closer to inclusivity and understanding each other’.
Jersey has been tested in recent years, he said, particularly under the strain of the historic child abuse review, but its institutions and particularly the court system have proved their resilience.
‘Obviously there have been challenges over the last decade or so for Jersey to face and painful challenges at that,’ Mr Le Cocq said. ‘But the systems of state that we have – the States Assembly, the Royal Court, the Law Officers’ Department – they have not of themselves not done the things they were to do.’
The decisions of the courts may not always find universal approval, he said, but they serve their vital role in the governance of Jersey, as does the States Assembly.
‘For me, we have the most fantastic place and I am not always sure we recognise how fantastic this place is,’ he said.
‘And that does not mean we haven’t got a million things we could do to improve upon it. I am not pretending we live in a perfect place, or anything like a paradise. But we have so much going for us. We need to maximise what we have going for us. And recognise it.
‘And also call into contrast those things that we should be doing better. None of that is really political because the Bailiff’s role is not political. Addressing that on a political level is for those elected to do that. But in a sense the Bailiff is able, in a civic role, to hold up a mirror for the good stuff and the bad stuff by drawing attention.’
- See Wednesday’s JEP for the full interview with Mr Le Cocq.
