The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2.4 Deputy R. G. Le Hérissier of the Chief Minister regarding the non- commencement of the Law Society of Jersey Law:
Why has the Law Society of Jersey Law not yet been brought into force?
Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister):
The Law Society of Jersey Law has not yet come into force because the Law Officers opposed a question about lawyers in the public service. The question is whether Jersey advocates and solicitors in public service should be subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Law Society. This matter is under active consideration by the Law Officer's Department and is being dealt with as a matter of urgency. In addition, the Law Society must make by-laws under the law before it is brought into force. These by-laws relate to such matters as membership and the holding of meetings and they have already been drafted and approved by the current Committee of the Law Society.
Once the question about public service lawyers has been resolved, it is intended that the Members of the Law Society will be asked to approve the by-laws and the new law will then be brought into force.
- Deputy R. G. Le Hérissier:
This issue was discussed previously and apparently resolved, would the Chief Minister outline whether this is a technical issue or whether this is a political issue and, if it is a political issue, why has the Council of Ministers not made a decision and driven the law forward?
Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister):
I do not believe it is a political issue and that is why it has not been an issue that Council Ministers have driven forward.
- Deputy R. G. Le Hérissier:
Would the Chief Minister confirm that this issue had arisen previously, it had been dealt with in the debates, it had apparently been put to bed and it has now arisen again?
Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister): Yes, I do confirm that is correct.