Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201-: Draft: Lodged 'au Greffe'

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 3 May 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2013-0024
Decision Summary Title :	Draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201-		Date of Decision Summary:	3rd May 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Project and Research Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201-		Date of Written Report:	3rd May 2013
Written Report Author:	Law Officers Department		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201-: Lodge for States debate
Decision(s): The Chief Minister, on the recommendation of the Legislation Advisory Panel, agreed to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201- for States debate at the earliest opportunity.
Reason(s) for Decision: The draft Law follows the announcement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth on 28th October 2011 that, with the agreement of the other Commonwealth Realms of which Her Majesty is also Head of State, the United Kingdom would change the rules of royal succession to end the system of male preference primogeniture and the bar on those who marry Roman Catholics from succeeding to the Throne. The Succession to the Crown Bill received Royal Assent on 25th April 2013. Although the resulting Act is not expressed to extend to the Channel Islands, Jersey is a dependency of the Crown and the constitutional position is that Her Majesty and Her successors are Sovereign of the Bailiwick of Jersey. It is therefore appropriate, as has been agreed in consultation with the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice and Cabinet Office, that formal provision is made by Jersey statute in relation to succession to the Crown in right of the Bailiwick of Jersey. At its meeting on 25th March 2013 the Legislation Advisory Panel agreed to recommend to the Chief Minister that he should proceed to lodging ‘au Greffe’ the draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201-.
Resource Implications: There are no resource implications for the States.
Action required: The Greffier of the States to be requested to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the draft Succession to the Crown (Jersey) Law 201- for States debate at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position: Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):