Jessica Roland was presiding for the first time since being sworn in as Guernsey’s first female Bailiff the week before last.
Dr Joanne Le Noury took the oath as the Royal Court’s newest jurat, following her election to the role last week, and Advocate Sarah Brehaut was sworn in as a full-time Judge of the Magistrate’s Court and a Lt-Bailiff, to replace Gary Perry.
And of the 14 jurats who attended the sitting, nine were women.
Ms Roland said Jurat Le Noury had been head girl at The Ladies’ College and gained a scholarship at Cambridge University.
She had spoken about her experiences of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer while working as a GP and had sought to raise awareness of the illness by speaking about it in the House of Commons.
Her talents could have taken her anywhere, she said.
‘But being a true Guernsey girl you wanted to come home and serve your island,’ she said.
Judge Brehaut had studied law at Warwick University and did her bar vocation qualification at Nottingham University. As her surname suggested, she was another ‘true Guernsey girl’, the Bailiff said.
She had worked for law firms both big and small on the island and had appeared before the courts at every level, dealing with a high variety of contentious matters.
Judge Brehaut had been a Lt-Bailiff and deputy judge since being sworn in 2023 while still working in private practice. Last year she decided she would put her name forward for a full-time role.
‘The Magistrate’s Court is where the lion’s share of court business is despatched,’ said Ms Roland.
‘It is the engine room of the legal system and where abstract legal theory collides with raw human reality.’
She also thanked the Lt-Governor Sir Richard Cripwell who was attending Chief Pleas for the last time with his impending retirement next year.
‘As we step in to the new term, we do so after a marathon debate in the States of Guernsey on tax reform,’ said the Bailiff.
‘I mention this because running through that debate was a question which our community confronts daily – how to sustain the Bailiwick’s economic lifeblood, our world-leading financial services industry, whilst ensuring that all members of our community are properly served and supported.
The legal profession in Guernsey faces the same challenge.’
The Court of Chief Pleas marks the start of the Royal Court year and its origins can be traced back to the 13th century.
It used to sit three times per year but now does so only at Michaelmas.
It has never had a judicial function and its legislative powers were removed in 1948. Its principal purpose now is a reporting one.
The roll call of members of the Guernsey Bar, seigneurs, and parish constables takes about 15 minutes.
The parish constables must state whether the quarries in their domains have been inspected and are safe.
Following the sitting, members of the court form a procession and walk to the Town Church for the traditional service.