Glossary

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A 

B 

Backbencher: A backbencher is a States Member who does not hold a Ministerial role (i.e. represent the Government of Jersey). Also known as the Non-Executive. This is not an official term used in documentation; it is used colloquially.  

Bailiff of Jersey: Appointed by the Crown, the Bailiff of Jersey is the President of the States and is responsible for the orderly conduct of States Meetings. He can speak in the Assembly but cannot vote.  

Bailiff’s Gallery: Special visitors of the Bailiff can sit and watch States Meetings from the Bailiff’s Gallery. 

Briefing Papers: Briefing Papers are short reports prepared by the States Greffe for States Members and the public which review current and emerging topics; legislative amendments; or analyse more complicated propositions.  

British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly: The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly promotes co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland. There are two Members of the States Assembly who represent Jersey as a Member and Associate Member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.

By-election: A by-election is an election that takes place if there becomes a vacant seat in the Assembly as a result of a States Member resigning, passing away or becoming unable to fulfil their role. The by-election to choose a replacement is held in the affected constituency.  

C 

Call for evidence: Part of Scrutiny’s process of gathering information for a review is to launch a call for evidence, which is where Scrutiny Panels and Committees ask members of the public and organisations to submit their views on a particular topic and use this evidence to inform their review. 

Chief Minister: The Chief Minister is the head of the Government of Jersey and a Member of the States Assembly. Before the first States Meeting following an election, States Members nominate which Member they wish to be the Chief Minister and vote on this during the first States Meeting. 

Children’s Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA): Every proposition or amendment – unless exempt – must be accompanied by a Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) that sets out how the proposition or amendment impacts on Children’s Rights.

Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel: This Panel scrutinises policy and legislation arising from the work of the Minister for Children and Families, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning and the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs. 

Closure motion: A States Member who has not yet spoken during a debate may propose to close the debate if it has lasted for over an hour. This Member must give at least 30 minutes notice to the Assembly before they make the proposal, which is then put to a vote. If the closure motion is adopted, the debate stops and the proposer is asked to sum up before the Assembly votes on the proposition before it.

Comité des Connétables: The Comité des Connétables brings together the Connétables (or Constables) of Jersey’s 12 Parishes who meet regularly to discuss Parish-related matters.  

Comments: Ministers, Panels, Committees and States Members with official responsibilities can issue official comments relating to a proposition or amendment in order to provide their views or further information. 

Commissioner for Standards: The Commissioner for Standards is responsible for considering complaints about the conduct of States Members, including Ministers.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) brings together parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth and has worked to support and strengthen parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth since its establishment in 1911. Jersey has been a member of the Association since 1961. 

Comptroller and Auditor General: The office of Comptroller and Auditor General was established in 2005. The Comptroller and Auditor General is appointed by the States Assembly and their remit includes the audit of financial statements and the consideration of public funds, including internal financial controls, value for money and corporate governance. 

Comptroller and Auditor General Board of Governance: The Board of Governance is a key means by which the Comptroller and Auditor General is held to account for the public funds allocated to the Jersey Audit Office, and ensures that the Comptroller and Auditor General has made efficient and effective use of these resources. 

Contre: Contre is French for ‘against’. If a States Member votes contre, they have voted against the proposition. 

Connétable: (Also known as Constable). There are 12 Connétables, each of whom is elected by one of the Island’s 12 Parishes to be head of the Parish. As elected members, Constables have the right to vote in the States Assembly.

Constituency:There are nine electoral constituencies and each has roughly one Deputy for every 3,000 residents, so that you are equally represented in the States Assembly, no matter where you live.

Constituents: Members of the public who are represented by the States Member of their constituency. (e.g. St. Peter Parishioners are constituents represented by the Connétable of St. Peter). 

Corn Riots: The Corn Riots took place on 28 September 1769 and involved about 500 Islanders storming the Royal Court as a result of food shortages and unfair taxation. This led to the Code of 1771 - major legislation which stripped the Royal Court of its legislative power and made the States Assembly the official law-making body in Jersey. 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel: This Panel scrutinises draft policies, legislation or matters of public importance relating to the work of the Chief Minister (excluding financial services) and the Minister for Treasury and Resources.  

Council of Ministers: The Council of Ministers is Jersey’s Government. It comprises the Chief Minister and all other Ministers, all of whom are selected by the States Assembly at the first States Meetings following an election.

D 

Dean of Jersey: The Dean is the head of the Anglican Church in Jersey and chaplain to the States Assembly. The Dean has the right to speak but not to vote, although by convention only speaks on matters that directly affect the Church, or on moral issues. 

Debate: A formal discussion on a particular proposition which takes place during a States Meeting in the States Chamber. States Members take it in turn to put forward arguments before the matter is put to a vote. Debates are listed on the Order Paper as ‘public business’.  

Democracy Week: Democracy Week is an annual event held in Jersey each September which aims to help Islanders understand and engage with Jersey’s political system and connect with their political representatives by taking part in a range of activities. 

Deputy: There are currently 37 Deputies elected to the States Assembly who each represent one of nine electoral constituencies.  As elected Members, Deputies have the right to vote in the States Assembly. 

E 

Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel: This Panel scrutinises policy and legislation related to financial services, external relations and economic and international development. It focuses mainly on the work of the Chief Minister, the Minister for External Relations, the Minister for International Development and the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development.  

Election: Elections to the States Assembly take place in Jersey every four years. The last election took place on 22 June 2022 and the next election will take place in 2026.   

Election campaign: The period of time immediately before an Election when candidates ask Islanders to support and vote for them on Election Day.

Electorate: The electorate includes everyone who is entitled to vote. In Jersey, you are eligible to vote if you have registered. To do so you need to have lived in Jersey for two years; or for six months, plus earlier periods that total five years, and are 16 years of age or older. To find out more about voting in Jersey and how to register, visit Vote.je.  

En défaut: If a States Member is not present during roll call and does not have a valid reason for their absence, they are marked ‘en défaut’ (in default). If a Member arrives in the Chamber later the same day, they cannot join the debate or register their vote until another Member requests that the Assembly ‘raise the défaut’.  

Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel: This Panel scrutinises policies and legislation put forward by Ministers, as well as matters of public importance, in relation to the environment, housing and infrastructure. It focuses mainly on the work of the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Infrastructure.  

Excusé: A States Member is marked ‘excusé(e)’ (excused) from a States Meeting during the Greffier’s roll call if they have a valid reason for being absent (e.g. a hospital appointment) that is accepted by other elected Members.   

Executive: States Members who hold a Ministerial role as part of the Government.

F 

Faites l’appel s’il vous plaît: The Bailiff says this to the Greffier at the start of a States Meeting to signal that they should begin the roll call. 

First Reading: The ‘First Reading’ is when the Bailiff announces to the Assembly that the Draft Law (or Draft Regulations) has been lodged.

Foot stamping: A long-standing tradition within the Assembly is the foot-stamp. Instead of clapping, Members stamp their feet to congratulate someone or to welcome someone into the Meeting ‘in the customary manner’.  

French: French was the only official language of the States Assembly until 1900, after which English was also allowed. Now most States Assembly business takes place in English, but French may still be used, as well as Jèrriais – which became the third official language in 2019. French is still used for certain parts of each meeting: the roll call, prayers and voting.  

G 

Greffier of the States: The Greffier of the States acts as clerk to the States Assembly and leads the States Greffe. The Greffier provides advice and support to States Members and departments relating to the business and procedures of the States Assembly. 

Government:  States Members who are Ministers and oversee Government areas of responsibility.

H 

Hansard: Hansard is known as the Official Report. It is a full transcript of a States Meeting, edited to remove any hesitations or redundancies in the spoken word and to verify the spelling of local names. Hansard is uploaded to the States Assembly website within five working days of a Meeting.   

His Majesty’s (HM) Attorney General: Appointed by the Crown, the Attorney General is a member of the States and a legal advisor to the Assembly. They have a right to speak but not to vote.  

His Majesty’s (HM) Solicitor General: Like the Attorney General, the Solicitor General is appointed by the Crown, a member of the States and a legal advisor to the Assembly. They have the right to speak but not to vote. 

Hustings: A Hustings is a meeting at which candidates standing for election typically deliver a speech about their policies and answer questions from Islanders. 

I 

In-Committee debate: An In-Committee debate may occur due to a report suggesting it, when recommendations are made by Panels or if an e-petition has reached 5,000 signatures. Unlike a typical debate, during an In-Committee debate a States Member may speak more than once and the matter being discussed is not voted on. 

J 

Jèrriais: The name of the traditional language of Jersey, which is closely related to French. Jèrriais is one of the three official languages of the States Assembly. 

Jersey Appointments Commission: The Jersey Appointments Commission is responsible for overseeing the recruitment of States employees. Members of the Appointments Commission are appointed by the States Assembly. 

Jersey Community Relations Trust: The Jersey Community Relations Trust seeks to eliminate discrimination and to achieve equality of treatment and opportunity within the Island's community. It was established by the States Assembly in 2004. 

Jersey Electoral Authority: The Jersey Electoral Authority (JEA) provides a politically neutral and independent arbiter to determine candidate disputes, complaints, address conduct issues amongst candidates and also to oversee the review of election expenditure by candidates. 

Jersey Overseas Aid Commission: The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission is responsible for allocating the annual budget for overseas aid and the Commission makes grants to many charities working in the developing world as well as giving emergency aid when necessary. The Commission also arranges for groups of volunteers from Jersey to undertake work projects overseas. 

Jersey Police Complaints Authority: The Jersey Police Complaints Authority is an independent organisation set up under the Police (Complaints and Discipline) (Jersey) Law 1999. It deals with complaints made against police officers and its Chair and members are appointed by the States Assembly. 

Judicial Greffe: The Judicial Greffe, led by the Judicial Greffier, provides support to ensure the effective operation of Jersey courts and tribunals.  

Jurat: Elected by an electoral college to the Royal Court, Jurats are voluntary lay people who decide issues of fact in criminal and civil trials.  

K 

L 

Law: A rule made by a government that states how people may and may not behave in society and in business, and that often orders particular punishments if they do not obey, or a system of such rules.

Law Revision Board: The Law Revision Board was established to oversee the preparation and publication of revised editions of Jersey legislation. It is made up of two States Members who are appointed by the States, the Attorney General, the Greffier of the States and the Principal Legislative Drafter.  

Law Officers’ Department: The Law Officers’ Department provides legal advice to the Government, the Crown and the States Assembly – the department encompasses the Attorney General and the Solicitor General and their staff.  

Legislation Advisory Panel: The Legislation Advisory Panel considers legislation matters on behalf of the Chief Minister that do not fall under the responsibility of a particular Minister. This is largely legislation relating to the courts and court procedures, probate, wills and succession, and customary Law. 

Legislative Drafting Office: The Legislative Drafting Office is a team of lawyers, aided by administrative support, who specialise in turning polices into legislation and preparing amendments to legislation. 

Lieutenant-Governor: The representative of the Crown in Jersey. As a member of the States Assembly, the Lieutenant-Governor has the right to attend and speak but traditionally only speaks twice during their five-year term of office – on arrival and on departure. They have no right to vote.  

Lodging period: After a proposition has been lodged (published) by the States Greffe, there is a set length of time before it can be debated by the States Assembly. This is known as the lodging period. The minimum lodging period can vary between two weeks to 12 weeks depending on the proposition, these are determind in accordance with Standing Order 26. Only when the required lodging period has expired can the proposition be debated, but the States Assembly may agree to reduce the minimum lodging period if they consider it to be in the public interest to do so.

M 

Malade: A States Member is marked ‘malade’ during roll call if they cannot attend the meeting due to illness.  Another Member takes an oath (in French) to confirm the illness.  

Manifesto: A set of aims and intentions that give the public an idea of what a candidate would do if elected

Minister: Ministers are nominated by the Chief Minister from amongst States Members and chosen by the States Assembly. They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their departments. 

Ministerial Decision: A formal published record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministerial Response: The formal response of a Minister to a report, for instance from a Scrutiny Panel or Review Panel.

Minutes: The States Minutes are the official record of attendance, the questions asked and statements made, as well as the voting decisions made at each States Meeting. The minutes of States Meetings, like Hansard, are also publicly available on the website. To read the transcript for each States Meeting, visit the Hansard section of Publications. 

N 

Non-Executive: States Members who do not hold Ministerial roles (i.e. represent the Government). Also known as backbenchers.  

O 

Oral questions with notice: States Members can ask any Member with an official responsibility (i.e. Ministers or Scrutiny Panel Chairs) oral questions with notice at each States Meeting on any matter relating to their Ministerial responsibilities. This question period lasts for up to two hours and 20 minutes and the questions are listed in the Order Paper ahead of each Meeting. Extra ‘supplementary questions’ can follow oral questions, without notice.  

Oral questions without notice: A 45-minute period of questions without notice follows questions with notice. In accordance with a rota, two Ministers will answer Members’ questions for 15 minutes each. The Chief Minister will answer questions for the final 15 minutes at each Meeting.  

Order: Legislation made by Ministers (or Assistant Ministers with delegated responsibility) under powers granted to them in a Law or Regulations.  Orders are not debated or voted on by the States Assembly, but every Order made is presented to the Assembly and States Members may lodge a proposition seeking to overturn an Order that has been made.

Order Paper: The Order Paper is published several days before each States Meeting and outlines the full agenda for the Meeting. A Consolidated Order Paper is published the day before the Meeting and Supplementary Order Papers may also be published, giving details of any late items or other changes.  

P 

Parishes: Jersey is divided into 12 Parishes. A Parish is a corporate body separate from its Parishioners. The governmental body for the Parish is the Parish Assembly and the Head of the Parish is the Connétable. 

Petition: Petitions are a powerful tool for gathering local support, which can result in change to the Law. A petition must call for a specific action from Ministers or the States Assembly and be something that either the Government or the States Assembly is responsible for. There are two types of petition offered by the States Assembly: paper and online. Read more on the Petitions page.

Planning Committee: The Planning Committee considers planning applications and grants or refuses planning permission. The Committee meets in public and hears the views of objectors and others before making its decisions. 

Polling Station: Where Islanders can go to vote on Election Day.

Pour: Pour is French for ‘for’. If a States Member votes pour, they have voted in favour of the proposition. 

Prayers: The Dean of Jersey leads the prayers at the start of each States Meeting, after the roll call. The prayers are spoken in French, ending with the Lord’s Prayer.  

Pre-poll: Where Islanders can go to vote in the run up to Election Day.

Présent: At least half of the States Members must be ‘présent’ or ‘présente’ (present) during the roll call for the Assembly to be able to conduct States business. If less than half are present, the Bailiff will declare that the Assembly has become ‘inquorate’.   

Presiding Officer: During a States Meeting, the Presiding Officer is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of the proceedings.  The Bailiff normally acts as Presiding Officer but, in their absence, the Deputy Bailiff will assume this role. In the absence of both the Bailiff and the Deputy Bailiff, the Bailiff chooses an elected Member, the Greffier or the Deputy Greffier to preside in the Assembly

Principles: Any draft Law or Regulation is proposed, debated, and voted on in three stages. The principles of the Law, i.e. the general concept of the Law, are voted on first. 

Privilege (or Assembly Privilege or Matters of privilege): In recognition of the important role played by the States Assembly and States Members, certain privileges are attached to their work; which means the Assembly and its Members can act on behalf of Islanders without fear or favour.  Amongst these privileges are Members' freedom to speak during States proceedings and the States Assembly's 'exclusive cognisance', which means the Assembly is free to determine its own procedures without reference to other bodies including the Courts.

Privileges and Procedures Committee: The Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) is responsible for the procedures of the States Assembly, States Members’ facilities, and States Members’ code of conduct.  

Proposition: A proposition (or projet) is a debate topic, and any States Member can lodge one for debate in the States Assembly. Propositions should aim to encourage debate on an issue and must be set out so that other Members can decide to vote for or against it. Propositions present a potential solution which requires action to be taken, most often by the Government or a Minister. Each draft proposition is to be accompanied by an estimate of the financial and staff implications and a report which outlines the background to the proposal and gives greater detail or statistical information.

Public Accounts Committee: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) receives reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General and reports any significant issues to the States Assembly. The PAC also assesses whether public funds have been applied for their intended purpose.   

Public Business: The period during States Meetings when propositions are debated and decisions are made. 

Public Finances Law: The Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 governs the way in which the public finances of Jersey are managed. It sets out the various funds that the States are invested in and the budget cycle that the States must follow.

Public gallery: The public gallery surrounds the States Chamber and is where members of the public can sit to watch States Meetings. It can seat around 50 people at one time.  

Public hearing: Scrutiny Panels and Committees hold public hearings to question a witness on a particular topic, which any member of the public is welcome to attend and observe. Quarterly hearings are held during the year, when Ministers are held to account on a range of issues relevant to their role. Review hearings are used to gather evidence specifically for Scrutiny reviews. 

Q 

Question time: Question time takes place at the start of a States Meeting, following any announcements by the Presiding Officer or appointments. It encompasses oral questions with notice, urgent questions (if any) and oral questions without notice.  

R 

Referendum Commission: The Referendum Commission is responsible for advising on the wording of any question to be used in a referendum and for appointing the lead campaign groups for any referendum. 

Register: To vote in any Jersey election, you must be registered to vote. If you have lived in Jersey for two years; or for six months, plus an earlier period that totals five years, and are 16 years of age or older, you are eligible to register to vote. To register, visit Vote.je.  

Regulations: Regulations are a formal type of secondary legislation which are made by the States and must be lodged for debate by the Assembly. Regulations do not require Royal Assent by the Monarch to come into force.

Re-issue: When a correction is made to proposition or amendment, resulting in an updated version of the document being published. 

Remuneration Reviewer: The independent Remuneration Reviewer makes recommendations to the Privileges and Procedures Committee on any matters relating to the remuneration, allowances and benefits available to elected States Members. All States Members must, by Law, receive the same level of remuneration. The Remuneration Reviewer’s recommendations on remuneration take automatic effect and cannot be changed by the States Assembly.

Report: A report is a formal document that is presented to the States Assembly for information purposes. There is a not a debate on its contents. Reports can be presented on a wide range of subjects and may include annual reports, consultations, proposed property sales and purchases and delegations of functions.   

Review: Scrutiny Panels carry out reviews of government policies, legislation, and public services by gathering and examining evidence from stakeholders (including Government and members of the public). Review topics usually include new policies and Laws, topical issues in Jersey, or any issues of public interest.  

Review Panel: Review Panels are established by the Scrutiny Liaison Committee to review particular proposals, issues or projects. They are made up of non-executive States Members.  

Roll call: At the beginning of a States Meeting, the Greffier calls the roll of Members in order of seniority, who respond in French. 

Royal Mace: Made of 11 pieces of silver gilt, the Royal Mace is carried before the Bailiff at States Meetings and sittings of the Royal Court. It was gifted to the Bailiff by King Charles II in 1663 and symbolises Jersey’s ancient links with the Crown.  

S 

Scrutiny: Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee work on behalf of the States Assembly to examine the work of Government and hold Ministers to account. 

Scrutiny Liaison Committee: The Scrutiny Liaison Committee (SLC) brings together the Chairs of the five Scrutiny Panels, alongside the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). SLC has responsibility for maintaining oversight of the work of the Scrutiny Panels and PAC and monitoring Scrutiny expenditure. 

Scrutiny Report: A document containing the findings and any recommendations that result from a Scrutiny Review of a policy or proposed change to the Law. 

Second Reading: During the seond reading of a draft Law or draft Regulations, States Members debate and vote on the principles of the legislation before then going through the actual wording of the Law. In this second part, each 'provision; (i.e. Article or Regulation) is considered in detail. Members may vote on individual Articles or Regulations separately, together in portions, or as a whole (en bloc). At this stage, any amendments will be proposed and voted on. 

Senator: Senators were previous Members of the States who were elected on an Island-wide basis. In April 2021, the States Assembly voted to approve electoral reform to remove the role of the Senator and the role was abolished in June 2022. 

Standing Orders: A comprehensive set of rules that govern the way the States Assembly conducts its business.  

Statement: Statements are where Members with official responsibilities, like Ministers, can inform and update the States Assembly on their work. Any States Member can also make a personal statement.

States Assembly: The States Assembly is Jersey’s elected parliament. Officially, it is called the Assembly of the States of Jersey. It is responsible for appointing the Government of Jersey and holding it to account; making new Laws and regulations, approving the amount of public money to be spent and the amount of tax to be raised.  

States Chamber: Most States Meetings take place in the States Chamber, which opened on 21 June 1887, the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne.  

States of Jersey Complaints Panel: The Complaints Panel investigates complaints by members of the public about about any matter of administration by any Minister, or department of the States/Government.

States Employment Board: The States Employment Board is the employer of all public employees in Jersey and is responsible for fixing these employees' terms and conditions. It is chaired by the Chief Minister, or their nominee, and brings together 2 members who are Ministers or Assistant Ministers and 2 members who are not.  

States Greffe: Led by the Greffier of the States, the States Greffe provides support and advice to the States Assembly, its Committees and Panels, and to States Members when acting in an independent capacity.  

States Meeting: A States Meeting is held every three weeks, usually beginning on a Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or until all items of public business have been completed. Members of the States Assembly gather in the States Chamber to make appointments, ask and answer questions, and bring forward propositions for debate. 

States Member: There are 54 members of the States Assembly, but only the 49 elected members (Connétables and Deputies) have the right to vote.  

States of Jersey Law: The States of Jersey Law 2005 sets out Jersey's ability to govern itself in all internal affairs; the membership of the States Assembly and the way in which Deputies are elected; the make up of the Council of Ministers and the roles of Ministers; the powers and privileges of the States Assembly; the various Committees and Panels that must be set up by the States Assembly; and the oath of office for Members.

Supplementary question: A supplementary question is an extra question asked without prior notice and which relates to the answer to their previous oral question with notice.  

Swearing in: After an individual is elected as a member of the States Assembly, they must be officially sworn-in to office as a States Member at the Royal Court. 

T 

Third Reading: The Third Reading is the final stage of voting for Laws or Regulations. At this point States Members decide if they wish to approve the proposed Law in its final state with any adopted amendments.  

U 

Urgent oral question: A member can, no more than 30 minutes before the start of a States Meeting, request the Bailiff for permission to ask an urgent oral question which must be regarded as of ‘urgent character’ and relate to a matter of public importance. 

Usher: The Usher announces ‘The Bailiff’ when the Bailiff enters the Chamber for a States Meeting, at which point everyone present will stand and only sit when the Bailiff is seated. The Usher also can deliver messages from one States Member to another during a Meeting using only the corridors and doors surrounding the Chamber. 

V 

Vingtaine: Vingtaines are subdivisions of the Parish.  In St. Ouen they are called Cueillettes.  

Viscount: The Viscount is the executive officer of the States of Jersey. During States Meetings, the Viscount will carry the Royal Mace before the Bailiff and assists with counting the votes in any ballots cast during appointments. 

Voting (States Meetings): States Members can vote either by standing vote or by electronic vote. During an electronic vote, the Greffier opens the voting system and Members press one of three buttons: either ‘P’ (pour) in favour of the matter, ‘C’ (contre) against the proposition, or A (abstain) to record their abstention. The Bailiff then asks the Greffier to close the vote and announces the result. 

Voting (Elections): If you have lived in Jersey for two years, or for six months plus an earlier period that totals five years and are at least 16 years of age, you can vote in Jersey. 

Vote of Censure: A Vote of Censure is an expression of extreme disapproval of a person or body by the entire Assembly. A Vote of Censure can be lodged as a proposition for debate by any States Member during the standard four-year political term. 

Vote of No Confidence: A Vote of No Confidence (VONC) can be proposed by another States Member during the four-year political term. If the majority of States Members vote against the VONC, the States Member will remain in post. If the majority vote in favour, the States Member will no longer uphold their post (for example, Ministerial title) though will remain in post until a new Minister is appointed.   

W 

Written question: States Members can submit written questions to Ministers. Written questions must be answered within a week of being received and published.  

X 

Y 

Youth Assembly: The Jersey Youth Assembly is held once a year and brings together Year 12 and 13 students to spend an afternoon in the States Chamber asking Ministers questions and debating propositions on topics of their choosing.  

Youth Parliament: The Jersey Youth Parliament is an Island-wide forum for young people to discuss current issues in the States Assembly that affect them. It consists of 40 young people, aged between 12 and 18, who present their work to States Members, engage in Scrutiny’s work and compile reports to share with Ministers. 

Z