Remuneration increases

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (13.08.07) to approve the Royal Court (Remuneration of Commissioners) (Jersey) Order regarding increases to fees for judges.

Subject:	Remuneration increase - Judges
Decision Reference:	MD-TR-2007-0083	Exempt clause(s):		N/A
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		N/A
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	N/A	Report File ref:		JPD/7/13/07/07
Written Report – Title	Remuneration increase - Judges	Written report - author		James Dixon – Finance Director – Treasury and Resources Dept
Decision(s): The Minister made 2 Orders regarding increases to the fees payable to Royal Court Commissioners and Ordinary Judges of Appeal by 2.6% (from £736 to £755 per day).
Reason(s) for decision: To maintain parity with comparable UK appointments.
Action required: The Director of Finance will request that the Orders be notified to the States.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 13th August 2007

Remuneration increases - judges

TREASURY AND RESOURCES MINISTER

REMUNERATION increase – JUDGES

1. Purpose of Report

1.1. The Minister will recall that he approved the principle of these increases in May 2007 (MD TR51 refers). The Orders have now been prepared and require sign off by the T&R Minister.

1.2. The Orders clarify that the increases will be staged to take effect retrospectively on the 1st April 2007 and again in November 2007. The total increase is 2.6%.

2. Background

2.1. The fees are maintained inline with comparable UK appointments.

2.2. The Bailiff has been informed that the fees payable to UK Deputy High Court Judges have increased from £736 to £748 per day (an increase of 1%) with effect from 1st April 2007 and will further increase to £755 per day from 1st November 2007 (an increase of 0.94%).

2.3. The Bailiff has therefore requested that the daily fees paid to Ordinary Judges of the Court of Appeal and Royal Court Commissioners be increased in line with the remuneration paid in the UK.

2.4. The Court of Appeal (Jersey) Law 1991 and the Royal Court (Jersey) Law 1991 provide for the Minister of Treasury and Resources to make the necessary Orders to increase the fees payable to the above groups.

2.5. The above fees were increased by similar amounts last year with the Ministers approval.

3. Comments

3.1 The increase in the RPI (x) for the period April 2006 to end of March 2007 is 4.4%.

3.2 It is estimated that the annual additional cost of increasing the rates as shown in the above table would be £10,000 and this would be met from within the Court and Case costs votes.

4. Recommendation

4.1. That the Minister ratifies the increases and submits the Orders to the States.

5. Reason for Decision

5.1. To maintain parity with comparable UK appointments.