Probate money should go to better causes
WITH reference to the Guernsey Ecclesiastical Court and the possible changes which may be made, some years ago when Rev. Paul Mellor was Dean of Guernsey, an investigation was held into the running of this court, but unable to function owing to the dean not allowing a deputy to enter the premises of the court, thereby stopping the investigation. Months ago, our present dean was told to shut down the court but decided not to do so, and continued making money. Why? Now we read in the Guernsey Press that this dean is not only going to continue the court under a different name (Guernsey Probate Registry) but also get a large sum of money for doing so, on top of the money he receives for his Church of England duties. In my opinion Policy & Resources are making a big mistake taking the action they apparently intend to do, remember Jersey ended their court in 1949. In Guernsey we need more money to give pay rises to nurses and States workers, not Church of England workers.
E. MAUGER
Editor’s footnote: The Very Reverend Tim Barker, Dean of Guernsey, responds:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your correspondent. Your correspondent has made a number of significant factual errors. I comment on two, for the record: Firstly, your correspondent writes that ‘[I] was told to shut down the court.’ I have received no such instruction. The court has continued to provide necessary service to those, whether in Guernsey or elsewhere in the world, who need a grant of probate to enable them to wind up the estate of a person who had died. Secondly, your correspondent infers that I will ‘receive a large sum of money... to continue the court.’ The management fee reported to the States of Deliberation last month will be paid to Guernsey Deanery Board of Finance.