12 February 2026
The Minister for Justice & Home Affairs, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, has lodged the Criminal Justice (Procedures) Amendment Law.
The Minister said: “Our criminal justice system has worked well since major reforms were introduced in 2018, but after eight years, it is clear that some practical updates would make it operate more efficiently. This amending law makes a number of minor improvements, as well as some significant but necessary changes.
"This law makes a series of straightforward improvements: it tidies up outdated wording, gives Magistrates clearer case management powers, fixes minor technical issues, and modernises how jury lists and very long trials are handled. These changes are about keeping the system efficient and avoiding unnecessary delays.
"A key part of the law restores the ability to hold a retrial when a jury cannot reach a verdict. We saw recently how a hung jury can leave victims, families, and the public without any clear answer. A hung jury is not a verdict, and allowing a single retrial brings Jersey back in line with normal practice across other jurisdictions. It ensures serious cases can be resolved properly while still protecting defendants' rights.
"The law also updates how the Court of Appeal manages cases where a past acquittal may be quashed because of compelling new evidence. These are extremely rare situations, but it has been noted that some of the related process was not outlined in law.
"Finally, the law reduces the number of Jurats required for the Superior Number of the Royal Court from five to three. This temporary arrangement worked well during the pandemic and making it permanent will help the courts schedule cases more efficiently without affecting the quality of justice delivered.
"Overall, these changes modernise our criminal procedure, improve the way serious cases are handled, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system."
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