The jurats () are lay people in Guernsey and Jersey who act as judges of fact rather than law, though they preside over land conveyances and liquor licensing. In Alderney, however, the jurats are judges of both fact and law (assisted by their learned clerk) in both civil and criminal matters.
Etymology
The term derives from the Latin iūrātus, "sworn [man]".
History
thumb|Jurats in robes of office in procession on [[Liberation Day (Channel Islands)|Liberation Day 9 May 2008 in Jersey (Solicitor General and Attorney General following also in red robes but wearing jabots)]]
Under the Ancien Régime in France, in several towns, of the south-west, <!-- In every town under the King and Queen of Navarre (the French Kingdom of Navarre or Lower Navarre, including Guyenne, Gascony, the Lannes, etc. In Pau, we see mention of Jurat starting from the separation of Navarre until at least the 1730s. The earliest entry I have see is in a 1520 testament. --> such as La Rochelle and Bordeaux, the jurats were members of the municipal body. The title was also borne by officials, corresponding to aldermen, in the Cinque Ports, but is now chiefly used as a title of office in the Channel Islands.
There are two bodies, consisting each of twelve jurats, for the Bailiwicks of Jersey and of Guernsey respectively. The robes of jurats are red with black trim.
The Royal Court sits either as the Inferior Number (judge and two jurats) or the Superior Number (judge and at least five jurats). Only the Superior Number can impose sentences of imprisonment of more than four years. The Superior Number also acts as a court of first appeal in respect of sentences handed down by the Inferior Number. Otherwise, Appeals from the Inferior Number and the Superior Number are heard by the Jersey Court of Appeal, in which jurats do not sit. Thereafter, any appeal would be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sitting in London.
Jurats also sit on the Island's Licensing Assembly (which grants liquor licences) and customarily serve as autorisés to oversee polling at public elections and declare the results.
The Prison Board of Visitors, which is responsible for overseeing the care of prisoners in Jersey's prison system, comprises seven jurats, who inspect the prison regularly and, whilst visiting, hear any prisoners' complaints. In 2009, a report raised concerns about potential conflicts of interests, and recommended that membership of the board should include independent members of the public.
Guernsey
In Guernsey, the jurats are still elected by the States of Election, made up of the Island's judiciary, law officers and Anglican clergy.
The Royal Court of Guernsey sits either as the Ordinary Court (Bailiff or Deputy Bailiff and two jurats) or the Full Court (Bailiff or Deputy Bailiff and seven jurats).
The position of Juré-Justicier Suppléant was created in 2008 whereby a Jurat with over five years service and is aged over 65 may retire and offer themselves for election as a Juré-Justicier Suppléant whereby the retirement age advances to 75.
The robes of jurats are purple (although the precise shade has varied).
Alderney
The court of Alderney consists of six jurats (appointed by the Crown) and the Judge of Alderney.
See also
- Juror
- Lay judge
- Capitoul, the equivalent office in Toulouse