... bringing you the latest news, views and information from The Law Society of Jersey.

This issue includes the sad news of the passing of Advocate Beverley Lacey.

News from the Law Society includes notice of the impending retirement from office of the Bâtonnier, Advocate Mike Preston, on expiry of his three-year term and inviting nominations for the office of Bâtonnier of the Jersey Bar, the news that reservations are now being taken for the Law Society's annual dinner on Friday 18 September 2026, and infromation about the newly published Practice Direction relating to Applications for an Administration Orders and Procedures for Administration Order Searches (RC26/02).

Important dates for members' diaries and a number of other court-related, government and regulatory announcements are also included, along with wellbeing, education and sits vac updates.

Members are reminded that the Directory section below contains links to the most up-to-date versions of various guidance notes and forms relevant to the profession, and now also includes links to the new SSQs.

Members are advised that Advocate Mike Preston's three-year term of office as Bâtonnier will come to an end in September 2026.  Advocate Preston does not intend to seek re-election.

In accordance with Article 33 of The Law Society of Jersey Law 2005, ordinary members who are advocates are required, every three years, to elect one of their number as the Bâtonnier, to be their head and to oversee the interests of the Bar.

Nominations are therefore invited for this honorary role. Please download the nomination form here.

Completed nomination forms should be provided to Neville Benbow at ceo@jerseylawsociety.je by close of business on 21 August 2026.

In the event that more than one nomination is received, a ballot amongst members of the Bar will be held.

The successful (if there is a ballot) or only (if there is one nominee) candidate will become Bâtonnier, subject to a formal election, which will be convened in the week commencing 14 September 2026.

The Law Society was deeply saddened to receive news that Advocate Beverley Lacey had passed away earlier this week.

Beverley will be greatly missed by all her family, her many friends and past and present colleagues.

The Law Society, on its own behalf and on behalf of all members, extends its deepest sympathies to David, William, Lucy and Emma.

Members of the Public Law Children Panel are reminded that a key element of the re-accreditation of members of the Panel is the attendance at a one-day refresher training course.

As previously advised, this training, which is mandatory for panel members, will take place on Wednesday 9 September 2026.  The training will be held at the Institute of Law.  

Members are reminded that a new Practice Direction relating to Applications for an Administration Order and Procedure for Administration Order Searches (RC26/02) has been published.

A) Applications for an Administration Order

1. Part 20B of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (the “Law”) provides that certain parties may apply to the Royal Court for an Administration Order in relation to a Jersey incorporated company (the “Application”).

2. Article 143F states that an application for an administration order must be made in the form approved by the court and must be accompanied by an affidavit verifying the content of the form.

3. The Court therefore stipulates that the Application must be commenced by Representation and be accompanied by an affidavit verifying the content of the Representation.

4. The Representation must state clearly in its title that it is a ‘Representation for an Administration Order pursuant to Part 20B of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991’.

5. The affidavit must disclose the facts and circumstances relevant to the application and, amongst other relevant matters, must:

(a) verify the accuracy of the content of the Representation;

(b) explain the status of the applicant and the person swearing the affidavit and the means of knowledge of the matters to which the affidavit relates.

(c) if the applicant is a creditor, state:

• the creditor has a liquidated claim against the debtor company for not less than the prescribed minimum liquidated sum specified in Article 9 of the Companies (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2002;

• the amount of the said claim;

• that to the best of the creditor’s knowledge it is not subject to a genuine dispute and arguable defence or counterclaim;

• that the claim has not been paid; and

• that to the best of the creditor’s knowledge and belief the debtor company is insolvent, or likely to become insolvent, but has realisable assets, and specify the grounds on which the creditor believes the debtor company to be insolvent, or likely to become insolvent.

(d) provide details of the notice of the Application given to those persons set out at Article 143F of the Law and in any associated Order (or detail the exceptional circumstances which are said to justify not giving such notice);

(e) provide the name and contact details of the administrator(s) that the applicant proposes be appointed to conduct the administration of the company, with evidence that the said administrator(s) consent(s) to act if so appointed and of their registration number on the Register of Approved Liquidators and Administrators.

(f) set out or exhibit confirmation supported by evidence that, in the opinion of the proposed administrator(s), the purpose or purposes of the administration as set out in Article 143D(2), is or are reasonably likely to be achieved;

(g) set out such comments from the proposed administrator and other parties as are known to the applicant in respect of the alternatives to placing the company in administration (including maintaining the status quo), and the benefits of granting an administration order instead;

(h) so far as is known to the Applicant, provide details of the financial situation of the company (it being the case that the court must be satisfied that the company is, or is likely to become, insolvent), to include information, to the best of the person swearing the affidavit’s knowledge and belief, of the company’s assets and liabilities, details of any security known or believed to be held by creditors of the company, information on existing legal proceedings or insolvency proceedings, and the main activities of the company and their location;

(i) any other matters that would, in the applicant’s opinion, assist the court in deciding whether to make such an order.

6. The Representation and supporting documents must be provided to the Bailiff’s Chambers and the Judicial Greffe by no later than 5pm on the Tuesday immediately preceding the Friday upon which the application will be heard by the Royal Court, and an electronic version must contemporaneously be filed electronically with JGRcourtdocuments@courts.je.

B) Procedure for Administration Order Searches

1. Anyone wishing to request a search of the Court’s records to ascertain the existence or otherwise of an Application under Part 20B against a specific entity may do so by applying to the Judicial Greffe by email to CWUApplications@courts.je.

2. Search requests must set out in the subject line “Administration Search”.

3. A search request can be specifically in relation to a Part 20B application or may be added to a request for a search in relation to a Creditor’s Winding Up.

4. The Judicial Greffe will need to have received the email applications by no later than midnight to be able to reply to the search during the following working day.

5. Applications by email should clearly state the name of the party requesting the search and the full name of the entity against whom the search is requested. The application must also confirm that the applicant assumes responsibility for the costs incurred in undertaking the search.

6. Searches will be charged in accordance with the rate for Searches Au Greffe as set out in the Item 37(a) of the Schedule to the Stamp Duties and Fees (Jersey) Law 1998, as amended.

This Practice Direction is effective immediately.

Click Administration Order to view/download the Practice Direction

Click Courts to view all Practice Directions.

Reservations are now being taken for The Law Society of Jersey's Annual Dinner which celebrates the Opening of the Legal Year, being held at L'Horizon Hotel, St Brelade on Friday 18 September 2026.

Attendance is open to Ordinary, Non-Practising, Retired and Student Members of the Law Society, as well as Advocates and Solicitors working in the Law Officers' Department, Viscount's Department or Judicial Greffe.

Lawyers qualified in other jurisdictions who are working for Jersey law firms may also attend.

As the dinner is again being held on the same day as the Assise d'Héritage, and will be attended by members of the Court, we would very much anticipate strong representation from firms and across the whole profession, including lawyers in the Law Officers' Department and in non-practising roles outside law firms.

The Jersey Law Course Prizegiving will also be held at the dinner.

The details of the dinner are as follows:

📅 Date: 18 September 2026

🕛 Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm

📍 Location: Hotel L'Horizon

Speaker: His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Kyd KBE, Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey

Click Booking to download the booking form.

Early bookings are encouraged to avoid disappointment as capacity is limited. Bookings should, in any event, be made by Friday 28 August 2026.

All bookings and dinner enquiries should be directed to the Operations Manager on 01534 613950 or manager@jerseylawsociety.je.

As members and firms will be aware, the Law Society's subscriptions for Ordinary Members are now payable in two instalments.

The second instalment for 2026, comprising 50% of the year's subscription rate, have now been issued to firms and, where applicable, individuals.

Subscription invoices are based upon Law Society membership records as at 30 June 2026.  Any subsequently notified changes in firm or status will not be reflected in invoices. 

Members are reminded that subscriptions are payable on demand. Prompt payment is requested.

Members are further reminded of the terms of Bye-Law 13 of the Law Society's Bye-Laws, regarding the potential consequences of late payment or failure to pay.

Please note that subscriptions are subject to GST.

Any queries in relation to subscriptions should be directed to the Accounts Department on 01534 613909 or by email accounts@jerseylawsociety.je.

With effect from 1st August, 2026, the Intellectual Property Registries will no longer be managed by the Judicial Greffe.

The new Primary Intellectual Property Registries will now be located at the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Please see the JFSC website here. 

Practitioners will find the latest news and events published by the Jersey Financial Services Commission here.

The Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman (CIFO) has published their latest report on their complaint activity.

During the 2nd quarter of 2026, CIFO received 202 complaints and opened 107 new cases. Over this period, CIFO closed 102 cases, reflecting their ongoing commitment to resolving complaints in a timely manner.

Resolution statistics

• 22% of complaints were determined by Ombudsman decision

• 31% of complaints were successfully settled

• 39% of complaints were outside of CIFO's mandate

• 8% of complaints were withdrawn by the complainant  

• 29% of resolved complaints were upheld

Further details and the full report can be found here.

Practitioners are advised that the Licensing Assembly will meet in ordinary session on :

 

📅 Thursday 24 September 2026 at 10.00am

📅 Thursday 17 December 2026 at 10.00am

for the purpose of considering applications under the Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974.

Advance notice is given that this year's Assise d’Héritage will be held on Friday 18 September 2026.

As advocates will be expected to renew their oath at the Assise d’Héritage, they are respectfully requested to 'save the date'.

The practical arrangements for this year's Assise will be advised shortly.

​September 8 - His Majesty The King's Accession
​November 8​ - ​Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November)
​November 14 - ​Anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King
​November 30 - ​St Andrew's Day (in Scotland)

Further information on dates for flying flags on buildings for 2026 and flag flying in general can be found here.

The 2026 Women in the Law - Wellbeing report by the Next 100 Years: Women In Law project, supported by LawCare, RPC, and Goodbody Wellness Company, surveyed over 500 women in the legal sector.

This important report finds that women in the legal profession face significant structural barriers, which limit their progression to senior roles despite their strong representation overall. Many experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout, affecting both wellbeing and career decisions, with some considering leaving the profession.

85% of respondents had experienced health and wellbeing issues that had affected their work in the past five years.

70% had experienced ongoing exhaustion or low energy frequently or almost constantly, not fully relieved by rest.

65% of those experiencing exhaustion did not feel comfortable raising it at work.

67% have considered moving jobs or taking a career break due to health and wellbeing issues.

50% do not believe their current working pattern is sustainable for their health in the long term.

43% do not feel they can openly discuss health and wellbeing concerns at work without negative consequences.

A lack of openness around these issues worsens the problem, while poor wellbeing has wider impacts on individuals, organisations, and the profession’s standards and reputation. The report calls for urgent, systemic change, emphasising that improving women’s workplace experiences is a shared responsibility and that embedding wellbeing and inclusive cultures must be a priority.

LawCare is the mental wellbeing charity for the legal profession. They’ve been supporting legal professionals for over 25 years and understand life in the law.

LawCare offer free, confidential, emotional support, peer support and resources to those working in the law in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. They promote mental health and wellbeing best practice in legal workplaces and drive culture change in education, training and practice.

If you need support contact the LawCare helpline on 0800 279 6888 (open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), email support@lawcare.org.uk or access online chat and other resources at www.lawcare.org.uk.

LawCare supports all branches of the legal profession: advocates, solicitors, barristers, judges, chartered legal executives, paralegals, trademark attorneys, patent attorneys, costs lawyers, notaries, licensed conveyancers, support staff and concerned family members.

The Law Society of Jersey is proud to be associated with, and to support the work of, LawCare.

Life in law is fast-paced and demanding. Practitioners spend so much time helping others that their own wellbeing can take a back seat.

The Legal Pause is a podcast dedicated to putting solicitor wellbeing first. They will also introduce you to fresh perspectives (sometimes the controversial ones!) about issues that often get overlooked.

Their podcast offers expert conversations on solicitor wellbeing, plus practical insights you can use in everyday life and work. In just half an hour, it’s a pause that fits easily into your routine while leaving you feeling more balanced and supported.

More details, and where to download the podcasts from, can be found here.

Applications are now open for the Jersey Law Course commencing in October 2026. Those who wish to apply for the course should complete this application form: Jersey Law Course Application 2026-27.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 11th September 2026. Anyone who would like guidance or information about the course should contact Advocate Claire Davies at the Institute of Law (claire.davies@iol.ac.je) or go to Jersey Law Course page on the Institute's website Jersey Law Course - Institute of Law Jersey.

The Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) of the International Bar Association has created a podcast series interviewing inspiring IBA members from around the world with interesting careers and remarkable stories.

Each guest shares their thoughts and experiences about what it means to be a woman in the legal profession and how they have navigated different types of workplaces and challenges over the course of their career. The series covers women across all sectors of the law.

The third episode of its Inspirational legal women podcast Series 2, featuring Fiona McLeod AO KC, a senior counsel with more than 30 years’ experience practising across Australia in commercial and public law, including doing considerable work on class actions and royal commissions, is now live, and you can listen to it here.

A complete list of upcoming IBA events can be found on their conference diary page.

The Social Security Tribunal is looking to appoint a Deputy Chair, holding a qualification in Law. The Tribunal members are appointed by the States of Jersey, on the recommendation of the Minister for Social Security, following a recruitment process in consultation with the Jersey Appointments Commission.

The Tribunal provides a forum to ensure that legislation has been applied correctly and claims have been determined in a fair and reasonable manner.

There are three Tribunals:

• The Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal (ISMAT) set up under the Income Support (Jersey) Law 2007 to deal with appeals based on medical grounds.

• The Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal (SSMAT) set up under the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974 to consider appeals specifically on the award of long term incapacity allowance (LTIA) and Disablement Benefit (DB).

• The Social Security Tribunal (SST)  set up under the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974 to deal with decisions made by Determining Officers in the Customer and Local Services department.

The Deputy Chair will be required to hear cases as part of a panel of three.

All Tribunal Members are appointed by the States of Jersey on the recommendation of the Minister for Social Security and after consultation with the Appointments Commission.

Appointment is generally for a period of five years and candidates may be eligible for re-appointment, up to a maximum term of 9 years under the Appointments Commission Guidelines.

The Tribunal hearings usually convene for a half-day session.  For some complicated hearings, a full day may be required.  The Registrar will advise in advance. 

Renumeration is £400.00 for a half day session and £400.00 for Judgment writing.

Individuals would be expected to commit to 5 -10 days per year.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Social Security Tribunal, please apply to t.pearce@courts.je attaching your CV and covering letter.

Further information about the role and job descriptions  can be obtained from the Manager of the Tribunal Service, Tracey Pearce, by telephoning 441380 or emailing t.pearce@courts.je

NOTE: if you are successful a copy of your CV will be passed onto the Minister as part of the recruitment process and you will be required to complete a DBS check.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 23 August 2026.

Are you looking for that next job on the legal career ladder? Click Legal Vacancies to see the latest job adverts.

Individuals who are looking for that next Legal career move can also register to receive details of the latest vacancies as soon as they become available. Go to the Legal Vacancies page and click on the 'Subscribe' button under the heading "Subscribe to job alerts" and follow the instructions.

If your firm wishes to advertise any vacancies, please send the following information to Sits Vac:

• the job or role title - with a brief description of the role
• the term - whether Full Time / Part Time / Contract
• a job description (if available)
• details of the remuneration package (or indicate as Negotiable or Market Rate)
• when the role is available from
• how to apply
• the name and contact details for a contact point for condidates to request further details
• the closing date for applications (if any)

Please include a small image file of the firm's latest logo in the email.

Advertising of vacancies for law firms is currently free of charge.

To discuss any aspect of advertising your vacancy, please call Jonathan Bale on 01534 613950.

To view/download the latest Guidance Notes, please click :

Guidance Note GN01 - The Route to Qualification as a Jersey Lawyer

Guidance Note GN02 - Use of AI in the Legal Profession

Guidance Note GN03 - Notifications to the Law Society

Guidance Note GN05 - CPD Eligible Activities

Guidance Note GN06 - CPD Waivers and Sanctions

Guidance Note GN09 - Non-Practising and Retired Members - Limitations and Obligations

To view / download the most up-to-date Law Society forms, please click :

Code of Conduct - Membership Update form (individuals)

Code of Conduct - Legal Services Body Update form

Code of Conduct - CPD Record template (Excel) (preferred)

Code of Conduct - CPD Record template (Word)

Code of Conduct - Waiver Application form

Accounts Rules - Accountant's Certificate template

Accounts Rules - Accountant's Reporting Checklist template

Accounts Rules - Member's Report template

Accounts Rules - Waiver Application form

Standard Form Documents:

Standard Seller Questionnaire - Residential Property (Freehold)

Standard Seller Questionnaire - Share Transfer Properties

Standard Seller Questionnaire - Residential Apartments (Flying Freehold)

CEO (Neville Benbow)

Email: ceo@jerseylawsociety.je

Operations Manager (Jonathan Bale)

Email: manager@jerseylawsociety.je

Telephone: +44 (0)1534 613950

Accounts

Email: accounts@jerseylawsociety.je

LawCare: LawCare is the mental health charity for everyone in the 
legal sector.

The Solicitors' Charity: The Solicitors’ Charity has been supporting solicitors at times of need since 1858.

Jersey Family Court Advisory Service (JFCAS). To book 1:1 sessions, which take place on the last Friday of each month, go to Eventbrite.

Jersey Gazette

Jersey Courts - Practice Directions

Any links to third-party websites are provided solely for informational purposes. Inclusion of such links does not constitute or imply our endorsement, approval, or affiliation with the linked site or its operators.

Should you wish to submit anything for publication in the Law Society's Directions newsletter, please write in the first instance to Submissions.

Details of forthcoming events which are relevant to the legal profession should be sent to Events.

Directions is published fortnightly on a Friday, with a copy deadline of the preceding Wednesday.