Parish Hall Enquiries suspended until next year

Thursday 10 December 2020

Enquiries into more minor offences have been cancelled until next year as a result of the increasing numbers of covid-19 cases in the island.

The Attorney General, Mark Temple QC, wrote to all Centeniers yesterday to inform them of his decision to put a stop to Parish Hall Enquiries, which will apply from this Saturday (12 December) until 26 February 2021.

He explained his decision had been prompted by the “current covid-19 infection rates” and aimed to prevent officers and members of the public from being exposed to the risk of infection.

If there is a “better than expected improvement” in infection rates before 26 February, Parish Hall Enquiries might resume before that date, he added.

Pictured: The Attorney General, Mark Temple QC.

Parish Hall Enquiries are a process of early investigation into youth offending and more minor adult offences conducted by a Centenier to decide whether there is enough evidence to justify a prosecution and whether the matter should be presented before the court.

In Jersey, it dates back 800 years and is seen as an informal alternative to court.

Since June, Parish Hall Enquiries have been conducted in a physically distanced manner with other hygiene protocols in place to minimise the potential spread of the virus in accordance with guidance issued by the Attorney General.

That included a requirement that cleaning be undertaken after each enquiry and that any fines being paid in cash are presented in a clear plastic sleeve with written instructions not to open for four days. Written cautions presented to attendees also had to be handled in this manner.