About the Viscount's Department
The Viscount’s Department plays a vital role in enforcing court orders, protecting the financial interests of vulnerable people, investigating deaths, and managing juries. The Viscount’s Department deals with bankruptcies and with the seizure and management of assets, including assets that may be the proceeds of crime.
The Viscount is the executive officer of the Royal Court and States Assembly, and the officer has its origins in the 13th Century. The Viscount is Advocate Mark Harris and the Deputy Viscount is Advocate Matt Berry. They are supported by a dedicated team of officers.
Our Enforcement team is responsible for:
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Collecting and enforcing fines
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Handling bail money transactions
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Arresting individuals for court non-appearance
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Serving legal documents
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Managing costs and compensation
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Executing civil judgments
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Conducting evictions
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Enforcing maintenance orders and alimony
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Enforcing court orders related to drug trafficking and crime proceeds
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Seizing, managing, and selling property and assets from crime proceeds
For Assize trials, our Court Services and Enforcement teams:
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Prepare and manage the jury list
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Serve jury and witness summonses
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Ensure that a sufficient number of potential jurors are called to serve
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Handle exemption applications from jury service
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Provide financial assistance to jurors in need
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Act as jury custodians during trials
The Coroner, with support from our team and other agencies, handles:
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Investigating sudden or unnatural deaths
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Authorizing post-mortem examinations
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Conducting inquests
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Managing death certificates and related applications
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Handling body removal and exhumation requests
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Addressing other death-related matters
Our Insolvency Team:
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Administers bankruptcy proceedings
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Issues Debt Remission Orders
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Assists with Remise de Biens applications
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Reviews bankruptcy and insolvency court applications
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Conducts bankruptcy checks
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Supports the Courts with insolvency matters
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Registers insolvency practitioners practicing in Jersey and investigates concerns raised about their conduct
Our Insolvency and Delegate Team:
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Assist individuals with limited capacity in managing finances
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Act as Tuteur of last resort
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Serve as trustee for minors’ criminal injuries compensation
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Supervises delegates and attorneys, including by investigating concerns raised about their conduct.
The Viscount also
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Acts as Returning Officer in public elections
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Administer oaths
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Manages the Collective Investment Funds Compensation Scheme
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Attends court and state sittings
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Bear the Royal Mace of the Bailiff of Jersey and perform other ceremonial duties
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Conducts Vues de Vicomte
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Convenes Royal Court sittings
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Grants judicial fee exemptions
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Promotes law reform
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Take evidence for Jersey and foreign courts