Guernsey - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Guernsey, it was the name is of Old Norse origin; the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is unclear but may refer to a person's name, Grani, or to the color green; the "-ey" ending means "island". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation) type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (British Crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale
National symbols
Guernsey cow, donkey.
The flag
The National flag of Guernsey has white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents Guernsey's status as a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one William the Conqueror carried at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
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The National Anthem
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More about the government of Guernsey
| Date of Independence | none (British Crown dependency) |
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| National holiday | Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) |
| Legal system | customary system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law |
| International law organization participation | |
| Constitution | |
| History | Unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice |
| Amendment process | New laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote |
| Citizenship | |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Richard CRIPWELL (since 15 February 2022) |
| Head of government | Chief Minister Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (since 1 July 2025) |
| Cabinet | none |
| Election/appointment process | the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee, indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term |
| Most recent election date | 7/1/2025 |
| Election results | 2025: Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister 2020: Peter FERBRACHE (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percent of States of Guernsey vote - 57.5% 2016: Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister |
| Expected date of next election | 2029 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | States of Deliberation |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 38 (directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 4 years |
| Most recent election date | 7/1/2025 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Independent (35); Forward Guernsey (3) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 20% |
| Expected date of next election | 2030 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions - Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty's pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates' Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Embassy | None (British crown dependency) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Guernsey
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Guernsey
Want to know more about Guernsey? Check all different factbooks for Guernsey below.
