The constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 30 May 2024 Parliament page
Following the announcement that a General Election will be held on 4 July, Select Committees will be unable to meet from 24 May and will cease to exist from 30 May until after the General Election. This work has therefore closed. This was a short inquiry examining the constitutional relationship … Read more
12 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
3 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
19 Dec
2024
Report published
28 Mar
2024
Report published
9 Jan
2024
Correspondence
15 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
15 Nov
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
23 May
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
9 Sep
2021
Correspondence
9 Sep
2021
Correspondence
7 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
15 Nov 2023
View on parliament.uk
Dr Gaynor Jeffery OBE · Department for Business and Trade Mike Freer MP · Ministry of Justice Richard Mason · Ministry of Justice Rt Hon Greg Hands MP · Department for Business and Trade Rt Hon Greg Hands MP · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The constitutional relationship with the Crown D… HC 30 28 Mar 2024 22 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
7 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The constitutional…
Evaluate Cabinet Office role in facilitating urgent multi-departmental Crown Dependency engagement
We recommend that the UK Government consider whether the Cabinet Office could potentially have a role, alongside the Ministry of Justice, in facilitating engagement on urgent matters requiring the involvement of several UK Government departments.
Government Response
The government will carefully consider developing a formal framework for the relationship with Crown Dependencies and seek their views, expressing caution about codifying it, but does not directly commit to a Cabinet Office role for urgent matters.
Ministry of Justice
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8 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - The constitutional…
Consult Crown Dependencies on formalising MoJ relationship framework for engagement and dispute resolution
The active consideration being given by the Lord Chancellor and Minister Freer to the framework for the relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the Crown Dependencies is welcome. The Ministry of Justice should consult the Crown Dependencies on the … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by discussing the importance of services to Crown Dependency economies and its commitment to continue seeking extension mechanisms in free trade agreements, completely sidestepping the recommendation on formalising a framework for the MoJ-CD relationship.
Ministry of Justice
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13 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - The constitutional…
Develop MoJ mechanism to faithfully represent Crown Dependency interests in negotiation conflicts
Representation of the interests of the Crown Dependencies in international relations is not optional, according to whether or not their interests are in line with those of the UK: it is the UK Government’s duty. In cases of conflict, the … Read more
Government Response
The government merely acknowledged the Committee's recognition of positive direct engagement, without addressing its duty to represent Crown Dependency interests in cases of conflict or the proposal for specifically designated officials.
Ministry of Justice
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15 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - The constitutional…
Proceed immediately with activating free trade agreement extension mechanisms for Crown Dependencies' compliance.
Extension mechanisms in several free trade agreements, including the CPTPP, have already been obtained by the UK Government. It is important to proceed with activating these mechanisms so that the approach can be tested and, if necessary, refined and improved. … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by agreeing on the importance of early and regular engagement between departments and Crown Dependencies for UK policymaking, entirely failing to address the recommendation to activate existing extension mechanisms promptly.
Ministry of Justice
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18 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The constitutional…
Explore options with Government of Jersey to streamline Royal Assent process for legislation.
We are pleased to hear that the process by which Royal Assent is granted to primary legislation from Guernsey is being streamlined, similar to that which already operates for the Isle of Man, and anticipate that, once implemented, it will … Read more
Government Response
The government provided a general statement about the Ministry of Justice's role in coordinating cross-departmental issues affecting Crown Dependencies, entirely unrelated to the recommendation about streamlining Jersey's Royal Assent process.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 22 of 12 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 5
Rejected 1
Total 12 recs + 10 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
9 Jan 2024 To committee Letter from Mike Freer MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, dated 21 December 2023 regarding the Constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021 Note prepared by the Government of Guernsey in advance of 7th September evidence session
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from the Governments of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, dated 31 August 2021, on relations between the UK and the Crown Dependencies
Parliament page