History
The Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy when William the Conqueror became King in 1066. Since then they have been subject to the English Crown as successor to the Dukes of Normandy. Jersey’s link with the UK and the Commonwealth is through the Sovereign and the Channel Islands have never been conquered by, or ceded territories to the UK, nor have they ever been colonies or dominions. They are part of the British Isles.

The Government of Jersey
Jersey devises its own laws, has its own courts and exercises its own tax-raising powers. The legislature, the States Assembly, passes primary legislation, which requires approval by The Queen in Council. The States Assembly also passes subordinate legislation that does not need Royal Sanction. The UK Government has historically assumed responsibility for Jersey’s defence and international relations.

Legal System
The legislation passed by the States of Jersey not only draws on English and French legislation but also laws adopted in Commonwealth countries. Jersey’s Royal Court has the same status as a Crown Court in the United Kingdom for criminal matters, and as the High Court for civil matters. It also exercises an administrative jurisdiction similar to that in the Divisional Court and receives statutory appeals against decisions of Ministers. It exercises a supervisory and an appellate jurisdiction over the Island’s lower criminal and civil courts. Appeals from the Royal Court of Jersey go to the Jersey Court of Appeal and after that, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

External relations
Jersey’s status as a Crown Dependency means the island’s international representation and defence are conducted by the United Kingdom government. Jersey is not part of the European Union but certain European legislation applies, in accordance with the 1972 Treaty of Accession under which the UK joined the European Communities. As Jersey is not part of either the United Kingdom or the EU, it has no representation either at Westminster or in the European Parliament.

Nationality and Immigration
Jersey, together with the other Crown Dependencies, the UK and the Republic of Ireland, form a common travel area. Jersey passports are headed “British Islands – Bailiwick of Jersey”. Under the British Nationality Act 1981, Islanders are entitled to full British citizenship, but Islanders not connected with the UK or another EU country by family or residence do not benefit from the “free movement of persons” provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Jersey operates immigration controls as a result of the Island’s ports and airport serving vessels and aircraft from international origins.

Economic data (2007 figures)
Gross value Added (GVA): £4.10 billion*
Gross National Income (GNI): £3.70 billion*
GNI per head of population: £41,000*
States General Funds income: £559 million
States net revenue expenditure: £480 million
States income tax returns: £430 million
* provisional figures

Principal industries:
Financial services (53% of GVA)
Other business activities (18% of GVA)
Public administration (7% of GVA)
Wholesale and retail (6% of GVA)
Construction (5% of GVA)
Tourism (3% of GVA)

Public revenues are raised by income tax, other taxes and by duties paid on certain goods. Decisions on how to raise taxes and spend the revenue are solely the matter for the Island’s legislature. Value Added Tax (VAT) is not charged in any of the Channel Islands but Jersey introduced a 3% Goods and Services Tax in 2008. As a result, Jersey is self-supporting and does not receive subsidies from, nor does its residents pay contributions, to the UK or to the EU. Jersey issues its own notes and coins of similar denominations to sterling, however it is mainly only legal tender in the Island. Bank of England notes and UK Treasury coins are used alongside the Island’s own currency.

E-Commerce
The Island has .je as a top level domain name. Recently, it has also been designated International Standards Organisation ISO3166 codes ‘JE’ and ‘JEY’. The UN Statistics Division has assigned the UN code 832 to Jersey by way of recognising its status.