Public collections
To collect in public places, you need the Bailiff's permission under Customary Law powers.
If you collect in public without this permission, you're acting against the Law.
Applying for permission
If you want to collect in public, you must ask the Chief Officer in writing. You need to give details of when and where you plan to collect, and the name of the charity that will benefit.
If you're collecting for another charity, you must provide written evidence that they recognise you and support the collection before your application can be considered.
The Bailiff’s permission
If the Bailiff gives you permission to collect, you will get a letter of authority with the following conditions:
- the name of the charity benefiting from the collection must be clearly displayed
- you must collect in a container with a closed lid
- you must keep a copy of the letter of authority with you while collecting
- the Parish where the collection is taking place must have been consulted
The States of Jersey Police may request and inspect the letter. The Bailiff may ask for a receipt for the collection proceeds from the charity within 14 days.
Flag days
Local charities, or UK charities with local branches, can apply for a 'Flag Day'. This allows them to make house-to-house collections and have a day or week when collectors can operate on their behalf.
Flag Days are strictly controlled to ensure charities do not compete unfairly and to consider the public.
Charities must apply in writing to the Bailiff's Chambers by 15 November the year before the proposed Flag Day.
Applications are considered in December, and dates are allocated by the end of the year.
Flag day permits
There is a £10 fee for a Flag Day, and a formal permit is granted subject to certain conditions.
These conditions are:
- Collectors must wear an armlet, badge, or certificate showing their authority
- Collections or sales must not obstruct or annoy people in public places
- Collectors must not use tables in a way that causes obstruction
- Collectors must not bother people to the point of annoyance
- Collectors must use a securely closed and sealed box or receptacle for money contributions
- Collectors must deliver their boxes or receptacles with the seals unbroken to the person responsible for the funds
- Collectors' boxes or receptacles must clearly display the name of the fund being collected for
Common queries
Permission for a sponsored event, such as a charity walk
You don't need permission unless you want to collect money during the event.
To do this, you'll need a letter of authority issued on behalf of the Bailiff.
Before any walks or cycle rides take place, you need permission from Infrastructure and Environment, as well as from the relevant Parish Connétables.
You will need to provide the following details:
- the proposed date of the event
- the route
- the number of people taking part
- the start and estimated finish time
- the organisers' contact details
UK charity applying for a flag day in Jersey
Flag days are usually only granted to local charities or UK charities with a branch in the Island. They are not normally granted to individuals or groups wishing to organise collections in the Island.
Collecting money from an individual
Permission to collect is normally only given to organisations, not to individuals.
Splitting the proceeds of a collection between different charities
As long as you have applied for permission to collect for more than one charity and the names of the charities are displayed, this is acceptable. However, you must ensure that all the proceeds of the collection go to the charities for which it was made.
Collecting items for prizes in a raffle
You do not need the Bailiff’s permission to collect items from retailers for use as prizes in raffles.
However, for raffles or any other activity dependent on chance,
you should contact the
Jersey Gambling Commission.
If you have any queries relating to public collections, contact the Chief Officer, Bailiff's Chambers.
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