Law Officer Functions

Perform the professional and constitutional duties of the Law Officers of the Crown, including -

• Advising Committees and individual Members of the States of Deliberation, the States of Alderney and the Chief Pleas of Sark(e.g. on the preparation of States amendments, requêtes and reports published in Billets d'État) and ensuring compliance with the law, constitution and States' procedures, along with the European Convention on Human Rights, relevant EU law and other international obligations, 

• Acting as non-voting members of States of Deliberation, attending their meetings and advising on constitutional, procedural and legal issues,

• Acting as members of the States of Election under the Reform (Guernsey) Law, 1948 (when Jurats of the Royal Court are elected),

• Acting as amicus curiae in order to give independent and impartial advice on legal or constitutional issues that arise during the course of proceedings and, where appropriate, performing customary law duties as partie publique in civil proceedings by representing the public interest or the interests of those who may not be able to represent themselves,

• Performing coronial functions for the Bailiwick, e.g. in connection with deaths, cremations, inquests and post mortems,

• Performing statutory functions, e.g. in the fields of mental health, children in care and at risk, investigatory powers,

• Being responsible for the development of criminal law and the administration of criminal justice, with all criminal proceedings being brought in the name of the Law Officers,

• Liaising with and advising both the Lieutenant Governor and the Ministry of Justice, where requested and in relation to the progress of legislation and other constitutional matters,

• Acting as head of the Guernsey Bar (e.g. by attending certain ceremonial occasions in this capacity, welcoming new aspirants to the Bar before the Royal Court and, where appropriate, liaising with the Bâtonnier and the Royal Court),

• Representing Guernsey internationally, particularly in relation to International Cooperation & Mutual Legal Assistance and the civil forfeiture of money, acting as the central authority in the Bailiwick for assistance,

• Discharging the functions of HM Receiver-General, a post held by HM Procureur, which include the collection of Crown revenues within the Bailiwick and the administration of Crown property (including Jethou), the foreshores (in those places where the Crown possesses the fiefs contiguous with the coast), the seabed (out to the limit of the territorial seas) and those immovable and moveable assets and interests that have escheated to the Crown or devolved as bona vacantia e.g. assets undistributed on the dissolution of a company.

Many of these functions require both Law Officers, the 5 Contrôles délégués and other senior staff to provide out of hours cover.

In addition to their professional duties, the staff at St James Chambers support charities throughout the year by fundraising, volunteering and using their profile to highlight good causes.