Decision on Ecclesiastical Court surplus delights Dean

The Very Rev. Tim Barker said the court had given £600,000 to the Social Investment Fund this year, and all that money would go to worthy causes.

‘I’m very happy with this arrangement because it means that we are able to be absolutely transparent about the money going directly into the Social Investment Fund which is all about investing in and supporting charities and the third sector in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.’

The Ecclesiastical Court, which is thought to date back to the 13th century when the island was part of the Norman Empire, is responsible for handling and receiving fees from probate, the legal term given to the process of dealing with the assets of someone who has died.

There had been moves to transfer responsibility for probate to the Royal Court, but Mr Barker said the Ecclesiastical Court gave very good value for money.

‘It is run very efficiently, we kept going during lockdown in a way that most probate courts didn’t, we adapted to using WhatsApp to swear executors into their role. We’re small enough to be able to adapt in that way to carry on delivering the service.

‘Of course a proportion of the surplus derives from fees paid from the estates of people who didn’t live in Guernsey, but they benefited during their lifetime from the excellent work of the finance industry and lawyers Guernsey because the island is a safe place for people to invest.

‘So it’s not just derived from people in the Bailiwick.’

About the fund

The Social Investment Fund was established by the States as an independent charitable company in 2020. All of its money, both public and privately donated, is invested in charities and third sector organisations, with none going to the States. Among the biggest recipients of grants this year were the Youth Commission, Citizens Advice, and Bright Beginnings. More information is available at www.sif.gg