JERSEY’S second-ever female Solicitor General was formally appointed yesterday before a packed Royal Court full of family, friends, colleagues, States Members and officials.
Victoria Bell has worked at the Law Officers’ Department for the past 16 years and was chosen from what the court heard was a strong field of candidates.
In a formal but warm-natured ceremony, the Bailiff, Robert MacRae, with the agreement of the Jurats, accepted Letters patent from King Charles, a necessary procedure because the ancient role – the Island’s second most senior law officer – is a Crown appointment.
They also accepted a warrant from UK MP David Lammy, in his role as Lord High Chancellor, making Miss Bell a King’s Counsel.
A Jersey College for Girls alumna, Miss Bell studied English at the University of Exeter before converting to law.
She was admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2009, the year she joined the Law Officer’s Department as an Assistant Legal Adviser, and as an advocate of the Royal Court in 2016. She was appointed a Senior Legal Adviser in 2024.
Setting out her considerable abilities and experience, Attorney General Matthew Jowitt KC, whom Miss Bell will deputise for, told the court that she was “popular, hardworking and proud Jerseywomen to boot”.
He particularly praised her work on defining and developing Jersey’s constitutional relationship with the UK and internationally, something that had been incredibly important during Brexit-related negotiations.
“She has excelled in that field and earned trust and confidence of many,” said Advocate Jowitt, going on to (half) joke that Miss Bell could now look forward to the “white knuckle ride” of providing legal advice to States Members during Assembly sittings.
He also pointed out that out of the 54 Solicitor Generals to date, Miss Bell was the second female Crown Officer, after Stéphanie Nicolle.
“I am confident she will not be the last,” he added, reflecting that female lawyers were now in the majority at the Law Officer’s Department.
Warmly welcoming Miss Bell to her new role, Mr MacRae joked that she had gone to “probably the best university in the world” which happened to be his alma mater.
He added that they had worked together when he was Attorney General, when he was always able to rely on her sound advice on complex international matters.
Miss Bell’s speech to the court was full of historical anecdotes going back centuries, reflecting her own deep interest in Jersey’s past.
She said she accepted the role with “profound delight and honour” and thanked her friends, family and colleagues for their support.
Her address to the court was followed by rapturous applause and a reception in the Old Library next door.
