Law and justice

Jersey has a distinct judicial system and body of laws dating back to 1204 when King John of England decreed that Jersey should continue to be governed by its own own laws and customs. From that time the law of Jersey has developed from a system appropriate to an insular agricultural economy to one adapted for the needs of a thriving international financial centre. It has absorbed influences from English and French law while retaining in many areas evidence of its Norman roots.

In the following pages you can learn about the various courts of law, legal proceedings and find information on sentencing. There is also guidance on legal aid, what to do if you are called as a witness and details on prisons and parole.