This timeline shows how a Jersey Law is made - from early drafting, through debate in the States Assembly and Scrutiny review, to receiving Royal Assent from the King. It highlights each key stage so you can see how a proposal becomes a Law.
1. Proposal of Laws
Laws can be proposed by any States member. Proposals are drafted into a formal document known as a "draft Law".
2. Preparation of proposition
Once a Law has been drafted and it is ready to be presented to the States Assembly, the draft and other associated documents are incorporated into a document known as a "proposition" or "projet".
3. Lodging of proposition
The proposition is lodged with the States Greffe and the draft Law is set down for debate.
4. Amendments lodged
Once a draft Law has been lodged and before it is debated, States Members can propose and lodge amendments to that draft Law.
5. First reading
The draft Law is presented to the States Assembly at a States meeting when the Bailiff announces that it has been lodged. There is no debate at this stage.
6. Second reading
The second reading is divided into 2 parts: the principles and the individual Articles.
7. Second reading (first part)
The proposer makes an opening speech and proposes the concept or general idea of the Law, known as the "principles". There is a debate and a vote.
8. Scrutiny
If the principles of a draft Law are agreed in the first vote in second reading, Scrutiny Panels can call the Law in for further review and comments.
9. Second reading (second part)
Following the vote (or the Law being returned from a Scrutiny review), the Law is debated Article by Article with amendments. A vote is taken to decide whether the Law should proceed.
10. Third reading
The final version of the draft Law is presented for third reading. This is usually a shorter debate focused on the final text. A vote is taken to decide if the Law will be enacted.
11. Royal Assent
Laws together with a report prepared by the Law Officers are sent to the Privy Council via the Lieutenant Governor's Office to receive Royal Assent from the King.
12. Pending
Draft Laws adopted by the States and submitted for confirmation by the King (His Majesty in Council) are published under the "Pending" section of "Laws".
13. Registration and commencement
Once the Law has received Royal Assent, it needs to be registered in the Royal Court. Once this registration has taken place, the Law is enacted and can come into force immediately, on a specific date or by a commencement Order/commencement Act.
14. As enacted (original)
Laws that have been registered in the Royal Court are published under the "As enacted (original)" section of "Laws".
15. Current
Once Laws come into force they are published under the "Current" section of "Laws". For amending Laws, the updated principal instrument will be published here. This is where you can find the timeline of any active legislation from its coming into force date until the present day.
16. Repealed
If a Law is repealed and no longer in force or active, the Law can be found under the "Repealed" section of "Laws". This is where you can find the timeline of any repealed legislation from its coming into force date until its repeal date.
How other legislation is made
How Jersey Orders are made
How Jersey Regulations are made