The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel, located off the coast of Normandy, France. They consist of two Crown dependencies: Jersey and Guernsey, along with several smaller islands. Here’s an overview of the Channel Islands and their governance:
Jersey: Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and is governed as a Crown dependency. It has its own government, known as the States of Jersey, which is responsible for most domestic matters, including taxation, health, education, and justice. The States of Jersey consists of elected representatives known as States Members, who are elected by the island’s residents. Jersey’s legal system is based on Norman customary law and English common law. The British monarch is the head of state, represented locally by the Lieutenant Governor.
Guernsey: Guernsey is the second-largest of the Channel Islands and is also governed as a Crown dependency. Like Jersey, it has its own government, known as the States of Guernsey, responsible for local administration, including taxation, health, education, and justice. The States of Guernsey is composed of elected representatives called Deputies. Guernsey’s legal system is based on Norman customary law and English common law. As with Jersey, the British monarch is the head of state, represented locally by the Lieutenant Governor.
Alderney: Alderney is one of the smaller Channel Islands and is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It has its own legislature, known as the States of Alderney, which is responsible for local governance on the island. Alderney has a unique status within the Bailiwick, with a degree of autonomy in certain areas, such as taxation and land ownership.
Sark: Sark is another small island in the Channel Islands, also part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It has its own form of government, known as the Chief Pleas, which is a parliament-like assembly consisting of elected representatives and unelected members. Sark has a unique feudal system of governance, with a Seigneur and a Seneschal overseeing local administration.
The Channel Islands’ governance structure reflects their historical ties to the British Crown while also allowing for a degree of self-governance and autonomy in local affairs. This system has evolved over centuries and is based on a combination of customary law, common law, and constitutional arrangements.