From the Summit of the Moral High Ground

Historical Archive This article is preserved as part of the historical record of this blog. It reflects the author's views at the time of publication. The content has not been substantively altered, although the HTML, accessibility and formatting have been updated to meet modern web standards. On Friday 11 November 2011, I presented my Representation to the Royal Court of Jersey. There will be no fanfare; it is not going to be a landmark day, for it is the start of a long, laborious process which may take months, if not years, to complete. The Representation contends, initially, that the Royal Court cannot convene in a manner compliant with the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000 to hear matters relating to the 2011 Jersey Senatorial elections. Article 3 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to free and fair elections. The Royal Court was asked to consider whether Jersey's elections complied with that standard . I argued th...

Historical Archive This article is preserved as part of the historical record of this blog. It reflects the author's views at the time of publication. The content has not been substantively altered, although the HTML, accessibility and formatting have been updated to meet modern web standards. Jurats led by Jurat Le Breton, Liberation Day 2008 Extract from: Jersey Courts – Jurats Italics indicate editorial additions. Jurats are elected to serve in the Royal Court and to decide questions of fact in court cases. They sit next to the judge and not only decide the facts in both civil and criminal trials; they also award damages and fines as well as determine sentences. The work of the Jurats is unpaid (although they receive substantial "expenses" and benefits such as free parking in Vine Street) and they are appointed by the Electoral College, consisting of the Bailiff, Jurats, the Connétables of the twelve parish...