World Factbook
Jersey
Bailiwick of Jersey
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; a red shield with three lions in yellow is in the upper triangle, with a yellow crown above history: according to tradition, Jersey ships differentiated themselves from English ships that flew the horizontal cross of St. George by rotating their own cross to the "X" (saltire) configuration; this arrangement resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, so the Plantagenet crown and Jersey coat of arms were added
Capital
name
Saint Helier
etymology
named after Saint HELIER, the patron saint of Jersey, who was reputedly martyred on the island in A.D. 555
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
49 11 N, 2 06 W
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
amendment process
proposed by a government minister to the Assembly of the States of Jersey, by an Assembly member, or by an elected parish head; passage requires several Assembly readings, a majority vote by the Assembly, review by the UK Ministry of Justice, and approval of the British monarch (Royal Assent)
Country name
former
Norman Isles
etymology
the name is of Old Norse origin, with - ey meaning "island;" "Jer(s)" may derive from a person with the Scandinavian name Geirr, meaning "spear"
conventional long form
Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form
Jersey
Independence
none (British Crown dependency)
Legal system
the laws of the UK apply, as well as local statutes
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Jersey Court of Appeal (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, and 12 judges); Royal Court (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, 6 commissioners and lay people referred to as jurats, and is organized into Heritage, Family, Probate, and Samedi Divisions); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
subordinate courts
Magistrate's Court; Youth Court; Petty Debts Court; Parish Hall Enquiries (a process of preliminary investigation into youth and minor adult offenses to determine need for presentation before a court)
judge selection and term of office
Jersey Court of Appeal bailiffs and judges appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; bailiffs and judges appointed for "extent of good behavior;" Royal Court bailiffs appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; commissioners appointed by the bailiff; jurats appointed by the Electoral College; bailiffs and commissioners appointed for "extent of good behavior;" jurats appointed until retirement at age 72
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed individually by the states
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant Governor Jerry KYD (since 8 October 2022)
head of government
Chief Minister Lyndon FARNHAM (since 25 January 2024); Bailiff Timothy Le COCQ (since 17 October 2019)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; Council of Ministers, including the chief minister, indirectly elected by the Assembly of States; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
National holiday
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Dependency status
British crown dependency
National color(s)
red, white
Political parties
Better Way or BW (group of independent candidates) Jersey Alliance or JA Jersey Liberal Conservatives or JLC Progress Party or PP Reform Jersey or RJ
note: most deputies sit as independents
Legislative branch
note
note: 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general
term in office
4 years
number of seats
54 (49 directly elected, 5 appointed)
legislature name
Assembly of the States of Jersey
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6/22/2022
expected date of next election
2026
percentage of women in chamber
42.9%
parties elected and seats per party
BW (35); RJ (10); JLC (2); JA (1); PP (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a British Crown dependency
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Jersey cow
Administrative divisions
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 12 parishes; Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, Trinity
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (British Crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (British Crown dependency)
International organization participation
UPU