King allows Projets de Loi change

The King has approved changes to how primary legislation – known as Projets de Loi – is granted Royal Assent for the Bailiwick.

At a Privy Council meeting last week an Order in Council was approved which introduces the modified process to take effect from tomorrow.

Policy & Resources Committee president Lyndon Trott said that the move would strengthen the island’s international identity.

‘This new process is not only of practical importance, it also reflects our identity as a jurisdiction through our direct relationship with the Crown, distinct from the UK,’ he said.

‘The Constitutional Investigation Committee, which I was honoured to be part of, reported to the States in 2016 with this change being one of the recommendations. Following years of work, and noting the benefits of an expedited process, I am pleased this change has now been agreed.’

The States initially agreed the change in May last year and it has subsequently been agreed by the parliaments of Alderney and Sark.

Prior to this change all Bailiwick Projets were approved by the Sovereign providing assent, acting through the Privy Council. The modified process will enable the ratification of Bailiwick Projets by the Lt-Governor, unless the Projet is specifically reserved for His Majesty’s assent, which could include projets involving defence or the royal prerogative.

The States said that the new procedure should result in faster processing of Bailiwick Projets, which will no longer be reliant on set schedules for Privy Council meetings. There will be no change to how Projets are debated or approved by the Bailiwick parliaments nor to the registration of legislation in the Royal Court.

The change to the Royal Assent process underlines the Bailiwick’s domestic legislative autonomy and developing international identity.