Privy Council report on Channel Islands (1947)

Author(s): Committee of the Privy Council on proposed reforms in the Channel Islands

Title: Report of the Committee of the Privy Council on proposed reforms in the Channel Islands

Remarks:

In 1946, both the Guernsey and Jersey States considered the reform of their islands' respective constitutions and judicial systems. By order of 4 June 1946 a committee of the Privy Council was created. Its chairman was the British Home Secretary James Chuter-Ede (1882-1965). In Jersey the outcome of the local initiative and the report of the Committee included the States of Jersey Law 1948 and the Royal Court (Jersey) Law 1948, and in Guernsey, the Reform (Guernsey) Law, 1948. The report also envisaged a Court of Appeal common to both bailiwicks. This was found to be impractical and in due course the present arrangements were made. The report is of importance not only for this legacy but also as a means to understanding the legal systems of the Islands in its day and as an authority on the nature and extent of customary law ordinance-making power. Edition(s) (this copy in bold): 1947 Provenance of this copy: Adv. GSK Dawes

Further reading:

H.R.S. Pocock (ed.), The Memoirs of Lord Coutanche: a Jerseyman looks back (Chichester, 1975), pp. 117-122.