Bailiff speaks of “strong” link between law and clergy

Tuesday 03 October 2023

Stability was at the heart of the Bailiff’s annual message to the island's legal community, saying local traditions were an enviable characteristic of the system.

Sir Richard McMahon made the comments at the Court of Chief Pleas, which marks the start of the legal year after Michaelmas.

All members of the judiciary, such as judges and jurats, as well as members of the Guernsey Bar, Seigneurs and Constables are required to attend.

“The strength of the Bailiwick comes from what others regard as a stable constitution,” Sir Richard said.

“The link between the clergy and the law remains a strong one… for some of us, faith matters.”

He encouraged all those present to attend the traditional and special church service after the court sitting. “It may do your souls some good,” Sir Richard told Advocates.

He made a callout during last year’s Chief Pleas for more part-time judges to come forward locally, and a year later said those efforts have “borne fruit” with an impressive response from across the Bar. 

Sir Richard therefore turned the attention of his speech this year to “stability” and thanked all those who keep justice running smooth and stable in the island, which he said was “a hallmark of our system”. 

Four new Lieutenant-Bailiffs were sworn in, each with experience in different specialties across different firms. A fifth will be sworn in next week.

Pictured: Attendees in the procession down the High Street.

It was also announced that the Royal Court has begun advertising for a new judge, with the candidate able to focus on civil cases but also to be willing to undertake other duties.

“I look forward to a flurry of applications,” Sir Richard said. 

Chief Pleas began with perhaps the longest attendance register taken in the island that morning.

The court then heard the parish constables reporting the conditions of their quarries, with St Peter Port and St Sampsons reporting one issue each. An update on these will be sent to the court at the end of the month.

Licenses for public halls and explosives were then renewed.

Following speeches from the Bailiff and HM Procurer, attendees snaked their way down from St James to Town Church for the service.

One bystander remarked that it was like watching penguins migrating.