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A decision made (04/02/2009) regarding: Law Revision Board - Appointment of Member.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2009-0020
Decision Summary Title:	Law Revision Board: Appointment of Member		Date of Decision Summary:	3rd February 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Kevin Hemmings – Head of Decision Support		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Law Revision Board: Appointment of Member		Date of Written Report:	3rd February 2009
Written Report Author:	Kevin Hemmings – Head of Decision Support		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Law Revision Board: Appointment of Member
Decision(s): The Minister approved a draft report and proposition, seeking the approval of the States to appoint an additional Member of the Law Revision Board, so that it can be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for debate.
Reason(s) for Decision: Recommendations relating to appointments for Members to the Law Revision Board require the approval of the Minister. The Report and Proposition to the States seeks the approval of the States to appoint Deputy Montfort Tadier as a Member of the Board.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower Implications as a result of this decision.
Action required: Final text of proposition and report to be sent to the Publications Editor of the Greffe by the Head of Decision Support and request that it be lodged on 6th February 2009 with a request for debate on 31st March 2009.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed: 4th February 2009		Date of Decision: 4th February 2009

Law Revision Board - Appointment of Member.

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

in accordance with Article 2(1)(a) of the Law Revision (Jersey) Law 2003, to appoint the Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade as member of the Law Revision Board.

MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES

REPORT

The Law Revision Board was established by the Law Revision (Jersey) Law 2003 to oversee the preparation and publication of revised editions of the laws of Jersey. Article 2 of the Law specifies that the Board shall comprise 2 members of the States, appointed by the States, together with the Attorney General, the Greffier of the States and the Law Draftsman.

In 2005, after a project taking some 2½ years, the Law Revision Board brought into force the first Revised Edition of the Laws of Jersey which was published in hard copy and on the Jersey Legal Information Board website ( www.jerseylegalinfo.je ). The Revised Edition is a statement of the law in force at the revision date and enables users to find the current version of each piece of legislation, taking account of the various amendments and repeals that might have changed the original enactment. In addition, through the use of the law revision powers in the Law, the Board was able to ensure that references in the legislation to matters such as the names of bodies or office holders were updated and the text was made gender neutral. The Revised Edition is undoubtedly an invaluable tool, not only for professionals such as lawyers and those working in the finance industry, but also for members of the public who need to consult local legislation. Its publication has clearly put Jersey at the forefront of comparable jurisdictions in terms of the accessibility of up to date legislation.

In order to keep the Revised Edition up to date the Law Revision Board produces annual updates. These are prepared ‘in house’ by the Law Draftsman’s Office and ensure that the Revised Edition remains current.

Deputy Baudains was appointed to the Board in 2003 and reappointed in 2006. The Deputy of St Martin was appointed in 2006 and has indicated his willingness to continue as a member, for which I am grateful. Since Deputy Baudains is no longer a member of the States it is necessary to appoint a replacement. Deputy Montfort Tadier is considered by the Minister to be an excellent candidate for this role and has expressed his willingness to serve on the Board should the States so approve. The role of the 2 States members is principally to be satisfied, at a political level, that the revised edition and updates prepared by the Law Draftsman’s Office are ready to be brought into force although, in practice they will need to rely largely on the legally qualified members of the Board to give the necessary assurance about the contents of the updates.

I am extremely grateful to both Deputies for agreeing to serve as members of the Board. I have no hesitation in recommending Deputy Tadier as a new Board Member.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no additional financial or manpower implications arising from this proposition.