Guernsey judges' pay parity with Jersey to end

Tuesday 24 January 2023

A ‘costly’ arrangement where Guernsey's judges and Crown Officer pay was guaranteed parity with Jersey is to finally end.

Instead the pay of Guernsey's Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, HM Procureur, HM Comptroller and the judges will be reviewed every three years by an independent panel.

The group are among the top earners in the island's public sector.

According to the 2021 States of Guernsey accounts, five of these employees have an employment package worth above £190,000 a year.

Pictured: The 2021 accounts can be found HERE. 

The independent pay review arrangements stem from the previous administration’s work on public sector pension arrangements and in November 2020 Policy and Resources President Deputy Peter Ferbrache said that progress would be made before the end of that year.

Answering official written questions from his predecessor Deputy Gavin St. Pier this month, Deputy Ferbrache said that the committee in consultation with the judges and Crown Officers had finalised terms of reference for the independent panel.

“It has been agreed that the panel will carry out reviews of the office holders’ pay every three years, through a process of consultation with the Bailiff and others,” he said.

“In carrying out its reviews, the panel will have regard to a range of relevant factors, including: movements in RPIX locally; the need to recruit, retain and motivate high calibre candidates; an awareness of the financial situation of the States of Guernsey; and the terms and conditions of appointment (other than pay) attaching to each of the offices.”

Pictured: Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Guernsey's Chief Minister and President of the island's Policy and Resources Committee.

Two panel members have been confirmed so far, but they have not been named. The terms of reference for the pay review have also not been released.

“It is anticipated that the first review will take place soon,” said Deputy Ferbrache.

When the issue was raised in the States in 2020, Deputy St Pier said that continuing pay parity with Jersey would be costly.

Progress on the review panel was initially delayed by the need to refocus resources in the wake of covid-19.