Eleven bodies form the Bailiwick's justice system — courts, registries, regulators, and advisory services. The Royal Court (1803, building 1799) and HM Greffier sit at the centre; the Court of Alderney handles civil matters on its own island; the Guernsey Bar (2008) regulates advocates. Eight are based in St Peter Port. —
—·Professional Service·Est. 2015
Legislation came into full force on 16 November 2015 in both Jersey and Guernsey. Douglas Melville appointed as first Principal Ombudsman on 1 June 2015, term renewed in 2020 and 2025.
St Peter Port·Service
Part of Royal Court of Guernsey
✦776-year heritage (1250)
Office dates to the early 13th century. Antonia Read became the first woman appointed as HM Greffier in April 2025, replacing Jon Torode who retired after 14 years.
St Peter Port·Organization
Part of Ecclesiastical Court of the Bailiwick of Guernsey (under agreement with States of Guernsey)
Surplus income paid to the Social Investment Fund (SIF), incorporated in 2020, which has awarded over £2 million to charitable organisations in the Bailiwick
St Martin·Professional Service·Est. 2010
✦Only one here offering safeguarding & protection
The Office of the Children's Convenor is a statutory public office established in 2010 under the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008. It investigates referrals concerning children under 18 who may need compulsory intervention and acts as gatekeeper to the Child Youth and…
St Peter Port·Professional Service
✦726-year heritage (1300)
Law Officers of the Crown are the Bailiwick of Guernsey's principal legal advisors, operating from St Peter Port. Two divisions — Criminal (general prosecutions, economic crime) and Civil (public law, children and social care, commercial law, tax, financial services, HMRG) —…
St Peter Port·Service
Part of Royal Court of Guernsey
Position dates to at least the late sixteenth century. Since 2008, appointed by the Royal Court with consultation of the Policy & Resources Committee.
St Peter Port·Professional Service·Since 1803
The court's origins trace to the reign of King John (early 13th century). The earliest reference to a court building in St Peter Port dates from the 12th century in a district known as La Plaiderie. The current building was constructed in 1799 with the first sitting in 1803, and has been expanded repeatedly, most recently in 2006.
View full profile →St Peter Port·Professional Service·Est. 2008
Guernsey Bar is the statutory professional body and regulatory authority for advocates of the Royal Court of Guernsey, covering the full Bailiwick of Guernsey (Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark). Constituted in 2008 under the Guernsey Bar (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2007, it…
St Peter Port·Service
Part of States of Guernsey
Family Proceedings Advisory Service (FPAS) is an independent, state-funded government service, operating since 2006 (as the Safeguarder Service), constituted as FPAS under the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008, that safeguards and promotes the welfare of children and…
St Peter Port·Professional Service
Part of Royal Court of Guernsey, Law Officers of the Crown
Guernsey Legal Resources (GLR) is a joint initiative of the Royal Court of Guernsey and the Law Officers of the Crown, providing free public online access to Bailiwick of Guernsey legislation, unreported judgments, law reports, and court orders. Materials include legislation…
Alderney·Professional Service
Part of States of Alderney
The Court of Alderney has operated since at least the 13th century. Governed by the Government of Alderney Law 1948.