New Jurat marks equality "milestone" for Royal Court

Monday 29 January 2018

A new female Jurat was sworn in by Royal Court this morning, marking the first time six men and six women will sit on the Jurats bench - a "milestone" as the Bailiff described it.

Former member of the Royal Air Force, Elizabeth Ann Dulake (60), takes on the role after Mike Liston announced in December he was to step down from his position for "personal reasons," after five years.

Mrs Dulake was nominated by Philip Le Sueur, Constable of Trinity, the parish in which she has been living for 25 years. 

She was sworn in, in the presence of the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, the Lieutenant Governor Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton and the Deputy Bailiff, Tim Le Cocq. 

The Attorney General, Robert MacRae QC, described the position of Jurat as the, "...highest distinction to which an islander may aspire to," and said it was a hallmark of the judiciary system in Jersey. Having met Mrs Dulake in his practice, he praised her "sense of fair play" and her "sound judgment." He also noted that with "strong biceps and long arms" she would have no trouble with the large number of documents Jurats need to carry around for some hearings.

The Bailiff noted that Mrs Dulake's appointment marked a "milestone" for the Royal Court as for the first time there is an equal number of women and men in the position. He said: "It is an advantage not just in public perception but in perspective," adding that women and men tend to think differently and that the combination of the two approaches leads to informed decisions.

Born in Jersey, Mrs Dulake worked for 30 years in the trust industry. She also served in the Royal Air Force for 10 years in the administrative branch, and retired as a Squadron Leader. The Bailiff said her training would surely help in her new role.

Having been married for 30 years, Mrs Dulake thanked her husband, who is part of the honorary police in Trinity, for his example of public service.

Following her swearing-in, she explained that having retired in October 2017 she wanted to give back to Jersey. "It is a huge honour to become a Jurat, especially Jersey-born," she said. She also said that it was amazing for an equal number of women and men to sit on the bench for the first time.