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STATES OF JERSEY
RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIR OF THE STATES OF JERSEY COMPLAINTS PANEL
Presented to the States on 24th July 2020 by the Privileges and Procures Committee
STATES GREFFE
2020 R.78
2
REPORT
Section 4.13 of the Appointments Commission's Code of Practice, recommends that the term of office of a member of a public body should not exceed 10 years, although in some circumstances this limit can be extended.
The tenure of Mr. Geoffrey Crill, who has been the Chair of the States of Jersey Complaints Panel since July 2015, lapsed on 17th July 2020, but he has indicated that he is happy to remain in post for a further 4-year period. The Appointments Commission has confirmed that this is in line with its guidelines on recruiting to independent bodies.
The future of the Panel is somewhat uncertain, as the Assembly has agreed to consider the establishment of a Public Sector Ombudsman, but the Privileges and Procedures Committee recognises that it is important to maintain the existing provision in the interim, in order that Islanders can continue to seek redress should they be dissatisfied with the decisions or actions of Ministers or Government Departments.
The Privileges and Procedures is extremely grateful to Mr. Crill for agreeing to continue in this important role and would like to re-appoint him for a 4-year period until 2024, or until the Panel is disbanded, whichever date is sooner.
In order to ensure that the Panel membership is a diverse representation of the Island's residents, and to provide some succession planning, should this prove necessary, the Privileges and Procedures Committee are currently recruiting additional members to join the Panel.
Mr. Geoffrey George Crill
Mr. Crill is a retired Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey and is currently a consultant to Collas, Crill Advocates on a part-time basis. He attended Victoria College in Jersey and has been a Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey since 1977. Mr. Crill began his legal career as a Conveyancing Assistant at Crill, Cubitt-Sowden and Tomes in 1967. In 1977 he became a Solicitor in Crill, Cubitt-Sowden and Tomes, and in 1979 became a Partner at Crill, Cubitt-Sowden and Tomes (latterly Crills). In 1992 he became a Senior Partner in Crill Canavan Solicitors and Advocates, until 2009, when he retired from practice.
Mr. Crill is currently a Commissioner of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission and also Chairman of the Risk Review Sub-Committee of the Commission.
From 2004–2010 he was a Trustee of the Jersey Heritage Trust, and in 2010 a member of the Carswell Review Panel (appointed by the States of Jersey to review the role of the Bailiff and other Crown Officers in Jersey).
Mr. Crill has previously been a member of Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal and Honorary Secretary of the Chambre des Écrivains (governing body of the Solicitors of the Royal Court of Jersey). Having joined as Deputy in December 2014, Mr. Crill has been the Chair of the Complaints Panel since 17th July 2015.
R.78/2020