Select Committee · Justice Committee

The constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 30 May 2024 12 recommendations 10 conclusions 1 report

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 between the UK Government and …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The constitutional relationship with the Cr… HC 30 28 Mar 2024 22 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
7 Recommendation Second Report - The constitutional rela… Deferred

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
8 Conclusion Second Report - The constitutional rela… Deferred

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 feasibility of formalising such a framework and what it could …

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
13 Conclusion Second Report - The constitutional rela… Deferred

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 Ministry of Justice must endeavour to find a mechanism for …

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
15 Conclusion Second Report - The constitutional rela… Deferred

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. This should happen as soon as possible and the Department …

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
18 Recommendation Second Report - The constitutional rela… Deferred

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 avoid the delay which occurs during periods when the Privy …

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

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
15 Nov 2023 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 View ↗

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
9 Jan 2024 To cttee Letter from Mike Freer MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, dated 21 Dec…
9 Sep 2021 Note prepared by the Government of Guernsey in advance of 7th September evidenc…
9 Sep 2021 To cttee Letter from the Governments of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, dated 31 A…