Another candidate will go before the States of Election later this month after being put forward for the office of Jurat just before the nomination deadline.
Mr Stephen Melbourne MBE has been proposed by Deputy Sally Rochester and Deputy Jennifer Strachan.
He is the third candidate for the vacant position, joining Mr Mark Peter Richard Downing – proposed by Deputy Mark Helyar and Deputy Adrain Gabriel – as well as Mr John Nicholas Lenfestey Fitzgerald – proposed by Deputy Jayne Ozanne OBE and Deputy Steve Falla.
The three candidates are vying to replace Jurat Steven Morris, who is stepping down from the office, through a meeting of the States of Election on Wednesday 28 January in the Royal Court.
The Electors include the Bailiff and the Law Officers, the Jurats, the eligible Rectors, the People’s Deputies and 34 Douzaine Representatives.
All have a vote except for the Bailiff who is only able to vote if there is a tie.
What is a Jurat?
Jurats act as a jury and are finders of fact in both civil and criminal cases – but they do not interpret law which is done by the Judge.
Jurats are also involved in the sentencing process.
After someone is found guilty in a criminal case, and the Jurats have heard about any mitigating circumstances, the Judge retires with the Jurats, and directs them on issues relevant to sentencing.
In civil cases, the Judge retires with the Jurats to direct them on the law. After the Jurats have reached a decision, the Judge drafts a judgment and returns to the Court with the Jurats to declare their decision and state the appropriate reasons.
The Jurats carry out a wide range of other duties in Guernsey.
They sit as the Bench of the Royal Court, hearing cases as a Full Court or Ordinary Court, including appeals from the Magistrate’s Court. Their responsibilities also include overseeing the Contracts Court, acting as Commissioners in insolvency and liquidation proceedings, supervising the destruction of Guernsey banknotes, and performing various other legal functions.
Some Jurats are appointed as Lieutenant-Bailiffs with additional responsibilities, mainly presiding over Contracts Courts.
However, many islanders will be familiar with Jurats through seeing them out and about during key ceremonial occasions such as Liberation Day and Remembrance Day, wearing traditional judicial dress.
At such occasions, and while sitting on the Bench, they wear purple robes, toques (hats), wing collars and bands.