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Jurats will no longer have to serve until the age of 72, if a proposition allowing them to retire after six years if they wish is adopted.
Under the current rules, a Jurat can only leave office after they reach the age of 72, or if they have a physical or mental incapacity, or have failed to perform their duties.
The new rules proposed by the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, would allow Jurats to leave on “agreed terms,” as long as they give six months’ notice and have served for at least six years.
Pictured: Karen Le Cornu and Andrew Cornish are the most recent Jurats to have been appointed.
To ensure the court system isn’t disrupted, only two will be allowed to retire each year, with priority given to the Jurats who have served the longest.
The proposals would also allow the Bailiff to call upon any ‘ex-Jurat’ who has ceased to hold office or retired, up to the age of 75, to return “for specific purposes,” increasing the pool of people available to be appointed.
Discussing the amendment, the report observes that the current system is “out of step” with current employment rules, noting how it might affect the number of people applying for the role.
“Clearly, this arrangement is out of step with the modern conception of employment or voluntary service, and there is some concern that the permanent commitment to unpaid and demanding duties may affect the number and demographics of the candidates who put themselves forward for the role,” it reads.
Islanders can currently apply to be a Jurat from the minimum age of 40-years-old.
Pictured: Retiring Jurats Rozanne Thomas and Anthony Olsen told Express last year the court was still looking to further diversify the pool of Jurats in the island.
Speaking last year about looking for a wider pool of jurats, retiring Jurats Rozanne Thomas and Anthony Olsen admitted they were still needing to and actively looking to further diversify the pool of jurats in the island.
“If you want to have a go, have a go – apply. Don’t be put off by thinking, 'I’m not a lawyer or I haven’t got a university degree,’” Jurat Thomas told Express.
The most recent appointments as jurats were Karen Le Cornu and Andrew Cornish, who were sworn into their roles last month.
The proposition is set to be debated on 8 February 2022.
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