The hunt for Jessica Roland’s successor, as she is poised to become the island’s first female Bailiff, has been opened up to public application, though candidates need to have been legally qualified for at least 15 years, with a minimum of seven years as a member of the Guernsey Bar, or the holder of a full-time judicial office in the island.
The successful candidate will have a range of duties, from being a judge of the Royal Court, to presiding officer of the States of Deliberation.
Once nominations close there will be a short-listing process followed by interviews. A recommendation will then be made by the island to the UK Lord Chancellor.
If they agree with the choice the next step will be for the Lord Chancellor to seek the formal agreement of the King. Only once Royal Assent has been granted will an announcement be made over who has been appointed. That is expected to take several months.
While the office of Bailiff is an ancient one, dating back to the 13th century, the creation of the post of Deputy Bailiff is far more recent. Sir John Loveridge became Guernsey’s first Deputy Bailiff when he was appointed in 1969.
Only one Deputy Bailiff, Chris Day, who held the office from 1999 to 2002, has not gone on to serve as Bailiff.
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