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); no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 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 .
Info
The National Anthem
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| Lyric/music |
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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.
