Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201-: Lodging

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 on 2 October 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2012-0097
Decision Summary Title :	Draft Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201-		Date of Decision Summary:	28th September 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Project and Research Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Draft Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201-		Date of Written Report:	28th September 2012
Written Report Author:	Law Officers Department		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Draft Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (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 Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201- for States debate at the earliest opportunity.
Reason(s) for Decision: This Projet de Loi contains a short amendment of the Royal Court (Jersey) Law 1948 (“the 1948 Law”). The purpose of the amendment is to enable the Bailiff (of Jersey) to appoint one or more Jurats of the Royal Court of Guernsey to sit as Jurat(s) of the Royal Court of Jersey. At its meeting on 28th September 2012 the Legislation Advisory Panel agreed to recommend to the Chief Minister that he should proceed to lodging ‘au Greffe’ the draft Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201-.
Resource Implications: There are no resource implications for the States other than payment, on the rare occasions when this will arise, for the travel and accommodation of Guernsey Jurats. It is expected these will be met from the standing Court and Case Costs budget of the Judicial Greffe.
Action required: The Greffier of the States to be requested to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the draft Royal Court (Amendment No. 13) (Jersey) Law 201- for States debate at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position: Senator B. I. Le Marquand Deputy Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):