Treaties

What is a treaty

A treaty is an international agreement between 2 or more States or international organisations. It confers rights and obligations that are legally binding under international law.

Treaties can also be referred to as:

• conventions
• covenants
• agreements
• protocols

​Jersey and international treaties

Jersey can negotiate and enter into treaties in its own right in certain circumstances. This is subject to receiving formal permission from the UK Government on behalf of the Crown. This is known as an entrustment.

For the majority of international treaties and associated protocols, treaties are extended to the Island by the UK.

Historically, the UK's ratification of international agreements automatically applied to Crown Dependencies unless the contrary was expressed.

This practice was changed on 16 October 1950 by the UK Foreign Office Circular No. 118. It is known informally as the Bevin Declaration after Ernest Bevin, the UK Foreign Secretary who signed the Circular.

Treaties are now only extended to the Island at the request of the Government of Jersey.

The maintenance, development and expansion of Jersey’s treaty network sits at the heart of the Ministry of External Relations’ work.

Participation in such treaties can help:

• boost the Island’s connectivity
• maximise opportunities in trade and investment
• enhance Jersey’s position as a responsible global citizen

In the database below you can find multilateral treaties extended to Jersey and bilateral agreements concluded by Jersey under entrustment.

Additional treaties will be added to the list to reflect the entry into force of new treaties applicable to Jersey, or when it can be verified that extension to Jersey of an existing treaty has taken place.

For more information email externalrelations@gov.je.

Disclaimer​

The treaties are listed for information only. You should not rely on them as legal advice as to the applicability or otherwise of any international instrument to Jersey or its residents.

You should always seek independent legal advice for any conclusion as to a treaty's applicability or otherwise.​

Search for treaties and conventions​