New bailiff appointment confirmed by King

George Thorpe
BBC News
BBC The States Assembly building in Jersey. It has a grey stone lower half and a pink top half with several sash windows. A set of traffic lights is outside the building with its lights on red. People are walking along the pavement next to the building on a sunny day.BBC
Robert MacRae is set to take over at the States Assembly in October

The appointment of the next bailiff of Jersey has been confirmed by King Charles.

Jersey's Lieutenant-Governor's office said Robert MacRae, currently deputy bailiff, had been chosen to succeed Sir Timothy Le Cocq when he retires from the role in October.

The office said Mr MacRae would become the 91st bailiff after a swearing-in ceremony on 24 October.

Mr MacRae, who has been deputy bailiff since January 2020, said he was "deeply honoured" to have been appointed.

'Highest standard'

The bailiff is the president of the States whose role includes acting as speaker with responsibility for the orderly conduct of the States Assembly and its business.

"I will do my best as presiding officer of the States, Chief Justice of the island and Jersey's civic head, to serve our community, as Sir Timothy Le Cocq has done," Mr MacRae added.

Mr MacRae grew up in Jersey before studying law at the University of Exeter and becoming a barrister in England for a number of years. He returned to Jersey in 2001.

Sir Timothy said he was delighted Mr MacRae had been selected to take over the role he has held since October 2019.

"Mr MacRae has a proven track record of service to Jersey which I have no doubt he will continue to the highest standard during his time as bailiff," Sir Timothy said.

The post-holder is also president of the Royal Court of Jersey and civic head of the island with responsibility for official communication with the United Kingdom authorities.

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