What we do
The Law Officers provide a comprehensive range of legal services for the Crown, the States of Guernsey, the States of Alderney and the Chief Pleas of Sark and some assistance where appropriate (primarily with constitutional and public law issues) to various public sector bodies, e.g. the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. They are assisted by a team of qualified lawyers and support staff in delivering those services in the following principal areas:
Provision of legal advice to the States, States Departments and other public sector bodies where appropriate including:
- Providing advice to the States of Guernsey
- Assisting and advising in the preparation of States Reports, especially those that require the enactment of legislation;
- Advising on legal responsibility and liability of the States;
- Assisting in the preparation of amendments to propositions, for debate by the States of Deliberation and of petitions by States members;
- Acting for the States in relation to property acquisitions and disposals, development projects and other commercial transactions.
- Drafting legislation for the States of Guernsey, the States of Alderney, and the Chief Pleas of Sark;
- Preparing Rules of Court;
- Drafting conveyances, leases and other documents relating to States owned land;
- Preparing other legal documents such as contracts and public service pensions schemes.
- Prosecuting complex criminal matters and advising on prosecutions conducted by the police;
- Appearing for the prosecution on appeals before the Royal Court, the Guernsey Court of Appeal and, exceptionally, before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council;
- Processing requests for assistance with the investigation of crime;
- Obtaining restraint and confiscation orders relating to the proceeds of crime.
- Conducting general civil litigation involving the States of Guernsey, the States of Alderney or the Chief Pleas of Sark before the civil courts in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark;
- Dealing with administrative appeals and other public law litigation in areas such as planning, housing cases, taxation, child care and some matters arising out of the regulatory work of the Financial Services Commission and other public sector bodies;
- Appearing at statutory inquiries, most notably planning inquiries, and before statutory tribunals such as the Income Tax Tribunal;
- Representing the States on appeals to the Guernsey Court of Appeal and references to judicial tribunals elsewhere, such as the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the European Court of Human Rights.
- Assisting in the representation of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in international fora and international negotiations;
- Advising on the application and implementation of international law and international legal obligations;
- Providing legal assistance to overseas prosecution and investigation agencies;
- Providing legal advice to public officials and authorities such as the Lieutenant Governor, HM Greffier, Planning Inspectors and the Registrar General of Electors on their functions and duties.
- When called upon by the courts providing advice on an amicus curiae basis.