Viscount of Jersey
TheViscount of Jersey(French:Vicomte de Jersey) has, since the 14th century, been the chief executive officer of the Royal Court of Jersey. Since 1930, court services have been provided by the Viscount's Department (French:Département du Vicomte)[1]in conjunction with theJudicial Greffe.Until 1973 the Viscount was appointed bythe Crown;since 1973 Viscounts have been appointed by theBailiff of Jersey.
The principal function of the Viscount (also referred to inChannel Island Englishby theJersey Legal Frenchtitle of theVicomte) is the execution of the orders of the courts ofJersey.This involves managing fines,bailmonies, seizures, confiscations, evictions, service of process, arrests for non-appearance in court and other enforcement procedures.
The Viscount managesjury selectionand exemption, financial assistance to jury members and acts assurveillantfor the jury.
The Viscount also acts ascoronerto deal with matters relating to sudden or unexpected death, and administers estates of deceased persons.[2][3]
In cases ofinsolvency,the Viscount administersen désastreproceedings.
The Viscount is amongst those who act asautorisé(returning officer) forelections in Jersey.
The Viscount acts asmace-bearerfor the Bailiff of Jersey in theStates of Jerseyand the Royal Court of Jersey, and carries out other ceremonial functions.
History[edit]
The Viscount carried out other functions historically: till 1885 the Public Markets were under his control. He was Comptroller of Weights and Measures and a member of the Prison Board. He read aloud Royal Proclamations in the Royal Square. A notable action of the Viscount during the exile in Jersey ofCharles, Prince of Wales,was the proclamation in the Royal Square of the Prince as King, following the execution of his father.[4]
Until 1842 the Viscount was a member of the States of Jersey with a right to speak but not to vote. From 1842 until 1948 the Viscount sat as a member of the States without speaking or voting rights. The constitutional reform of 1948 removed the Viscount's membership of the legislature but the Viscount's Department continues to be represented at meetings of the States for the provision of executive services.
The Biographical Dictionary ofJerseyby Balleine says:
VISCOUNT.Vicomte.In ancientFrancea very high dignitary, the Vice-Count, who took the place of the Count or Duke, when absent. Later inNormandya Viscount was appointed over each county, the Viscount of the Cotentin, the Viscount of the Avranchin, etc. A charter of 1179 shows the Viscount holding the King's Court inGuernsey.In time the dignity of the name was forgotten, and the Viscount became a mere Court official. By the 14th century the Viscount in Jersey was the chief executive officer of the Court, appointed by the Crown to see that orders of the Court were carried out, to issue summonses, to make arrests, to keep prisoners in custody, to abate nuisances, to deliver seisin 'by the Viscount's rod'. He also acted as Coroner, and till 1885 the Public Markets were under his control. He read aloud Royal Proclamations in the Royal Square, was Comptroller of Weights and Measures and a member of the Prison Board.
List[edit]
From | To | Viscount | Deputy Viscounts |
---|---|---|---|
1708 | 1716 | David Bandinel | Richard Dumaresq (1715) |
1716/7 | 1741 | George Bandinel Sr. | George Bandinel Jr. (1723); John Dumaresq (1731); Helier De Carteret (1735); Charles Marett (1741) |
1741 | 1743 | George Bandinel Jr. | |
1743 | 1785 | Thomas Durell | Philip D'Auvergne (1759-1761, 1762); Charles Marett (1761); Clement Le Montais (1763-1764); Nicholas Messervy (1764-1768); George Benest (1768) |
1785 | 1842 | Matthew Gosset | Thomas Gallichan (1785-1796); Thomas-Louis Lerrier (1796); Francis Marett (1799); John Winter (1802-1812); Charles de Ste Croix (1812-1823); Philip Le Gallais (1823-1842) |
1842 | 1875 | John Le Couteur | |
1917 | 1929 | Edmund Toulmin Nicolle | |
... | ... | ... | ... |
1946 | 1974 | Herbert Vyvian Benest | |
1974 | 1981 | Philip Misson[5] | Dennis Ferbrache (1974-1981) |
1981 | June 2015 | Michael Wilkins[6] | Dennis Ferbrache (1981-1996), Peter de Gruchy (1996 to 2012),[7]Advocate Mark Harris[8](2013-2015) |
July 2015 | March 2022 | Advocate Elaine Millar[9] | Advocate Mark Harris |
June 2022 | Advocate Matthew Swan | Advocate Mark Harris |
References[edit]
- ^Loi (1930) constituant Le Département du Vicomte
- ^"Inquests and Post-mortem Examinations Rules 1995".Jersey Legal Information Board.Retrieved11 April2022.
- ^"Departments of the Judiciary and the Legislature (Jersey) Law 1965".Jersey Legal Information Board.Retrieved11 April2022.
- ^Balleine's History of Jersey,Marguerite Syvret and Joan Stevens (1998)ISBN1-86077-065-7
- ^"JEP Archive - 00012276.jpg".Temps Passe.Jersey Evening Post.Retrieved13 June2012.
- ^"Minutes of the States of Jersey"(PDF).States of Jersey. 13 October 1981.Retrieved12 August2011.
- ^"Deputy Viscount Peter de Gruchy retires".Channel News.Retrieved30 November2012.[dead link]
- ^"New Coroner Appointed".Channel 103. 16 January 2013.Retrieved16 January2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Lawyers Chosen For Top States Jobs".Channel 103 web site.Channel 103. 12 May 2015.Retrieved13 May2015.[permanent dead link]
- Jersey Court Service Annual Report(PDF).Government of Jersey(Report). Judicial Greffe & Viscount’s Department. 2007.
- "Viscount of the Royal Court of Jersey - Candidate Pack"(PDF).jerseylawsociety.je.August 2023.Archived(PDF)from the original on 21 August 2023.Retrieved21 August2023.