Policy & Resources Committee - P.2020/53
The States are asked to decide: -
Whether, after consideration of the policy letter titled 'Review of the Jurisdiction of The Ecclesiastical Court in relation to Grants of Representation regarding Personal Property', they are of the opinion: -
1.To approve the transfer of the customary jurisdiction in relation to grants of representation for personal property for:
(a)the Bailiwick other than Sark, and
(b)in the event of an affirmative resolution from the Chief Pleas of Sark, Sark,
from the Ecclesiastical Court to the Royal Court on the basis set out in this policy letter.
2.To agree that any changes to the tariff in relation to grants of representation will be recommended by the Policy & Resources Committee as part of the Annual Budget of the States, and the Royal Court will be responsible for setting other fees.
3.To agree that a grant be made from General Revenue to the Social Investment Fund of £400,000 per annum for the first two years that the Royal Court operates grants of representation for personal property, with recommendations for the level of this grant for subsequent years to be included in future Annual Budgets.
4.To direct the Policy & Resources Committee to take into account the financial implications of this policy letter in setting the budget for 2021 and future years.
5.To direct the drafting of such legislation as may be necessary to give effect to the above decisions.
The above Propositions have been submitted to Her Majesty's Procureur for advice on any legal or constitutional implications in accordance with Rule 4(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the States of Deliberation and their Committees.
