Crown Dependencies

The Crown Dependencies are three special places in the British Isles that belong to the British Crown. These places are the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey (together called the Channel Islands), and the Isle of Man. Even though they are close to the United Kingdom, they are not part of it.

These islands govern themselves. They make many of their own rules and decisions. They act almost like small independent countries, each with its own government and laws. However, the final power to make decisions for them rests with the King-in-Council, though this is rarely used without the islands' agreement.

The Crown Dependencies have their own teams that compete in the Commonwealth Games and work with the British–Irish Council. They are not members of the Commonwealth of Nations but still have connections with it and other international groups. Each island has its own legislative assembly that can make laws for local matters with the approval of the Crown.

Terminology

Some people debate the name "Crown Dependencies." A leader from Guernsey thinks this name may not be accurate. He believes it sounds like the islands rely on the Crown. He suggests using the name "Crown Dominion" instead.

List of Crown Dependencies

Channel Islands

Since 1290, the Channel Islands have been governed as:

• the Bailiwick of Guernsey, comprising the islands of Alderney, Brecqhou, Guernsey, Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and Sark;
• the Bailiwick of Jersey, comprising the island of Jersey and uninhabited islets such as the Écréhous and Minquiers.

Each Bailiwick is a Crown dependency and each is headed by a Bailiff, with a Lieutenant Governor representing the Crown in each Bailiwick. Each Bailiwick has its own legal and healthcare systems and its own separate immigration policy.

Bailiwick of Guernsey

Main article: Bailiwick of Guernsey

The Bailiwick of Guernsey comprises three separate jurisdictions:

• Alderney, including smaller surrounding uninhabited islands.
• Guernsey, which also includes the nearby islands of Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and other smaller uninhabited islands.
• Sark, which also includes the nearby island of Brecqhou, and other smaller uninhabited islands.

The parliament of Guernsey is the States of Deliberation, the parliament of Sark is called the Chief Pleas, and the parliament of Alderney is called the States of Alderney. There are no political parties; candidates stand for election as independents.

Bailiwick of Jersey

Main article: Jersey

The Bailiwick of Jersey consists of the island of Jersey and a number of surrounding uninhabited islands.

The parliament is the States Assembly. There are few political parties, as candidates generally stand for election as independents.

Isle of Man

Main article: Isle of Man

See also: Politics of the Isle of Man, History of the Isle of Man, and Noble and royal titles of the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man's Tynwald claims to be the world's oldest parliament in continuous existence, dating back to 979. It consists of a popularly elected House of Keys and an indirectly elected Legislative Council. Candidates mostly stand for election to the Keys as independents, rather than being selected by political parties.

City status

Main article: British overseas cities

Some towns and villages asked to be called important places. This could mean being called a borough or a city by the monarch. Having a cathedral often helped a place become a city.

Not all places with cathedrals became cities. For example, St Patrick's Isle had a cathedral but never became a city. A new cathedral called Peel Cathedral was built later.

Since 2000, the UK government has held contests to choose which places can become cities. In 2021, places in the Crown Dependencies could join too. Two places on the Isle of Man, Douglas and Peel, applied. Douglas became a city and was the first city in the Crown Dependencies.

Constitutional status

The Crown Dependencies are three island territories close to the United Kingdom but not part of it. They govern themselves and have their own laws. These laws need approval by the King in Council, usually through the Privy Council in London. Some laws in the Isle of Man and Guernsey can be approved by local leaders without this extra step.

The monarch is represented by a Lieutenant Governor in each dependency, but this job is mostly ceremonial. Each dependency has its own special link with the Crown, making them different from other British territories. The Channel Islands, for example, have a long history separate from the UK, with their own unique governance and rights.

Relationship with the UK

The United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies share a special relationship. The Crown Dependencies—the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man—are self-governing territories that belong to the British Crown but are not part of the UK. They are known as "territories for which the United Kingdom is responsible," meaning the UK supports and respects their independence.

The UK Government handles defence and represents the Crown Dependencies internationally, but only after consulting with them. The Crown Dependencies are part of the Common Travel Area and follow the same visa rules as the UK, though each handles its own customs and immigration. The Church of England is the established church in the Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey, similar to England. The islands share some cultural ties with the UK, such as local BBC radio stations and participation in the UK telephone system and postcode framework.

Since 1981, the Crown Dependencies have been treated as part of the UK for citizenship laws, but they have their own rules for housing and employment. In 2023, the coats of arms of the Crown Dependencies were honored in new stained glass windows in the Speaker’s House at the New Palace of Westminster, showing their place in the UK family.

International relations

See also: Membership of British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in international organisations

Commonwealth

The Crown Dependencies are not members of the Commonwealth of Nations, but they are linked to it through the United Kingdom. They join in some Commonwealth groups and events. All three are part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth Games.

The leaders of these islands want more involvement in the Commonwealth. They wish to speak at meetings and join discussions, even if they cannot vote.

European Union

The Crown Dependencies were never part of the European Union, even when the UK was. During that time, they followed some EU rules about trading goods but not all rules. Their people were still seen as European citizens, but they could not vote in European Parliament elections.

When the UK left the EU (Brexit), it was important for the UK to continue helping these islands in world matters. A big issue was fishing rights, which was later solved by allowing direct talks between the islands and nearby areas.

After Brexit, the UK said EU citizens needed passports to visit places like Jersey, which meant fewer visitors. This changed in 2022 when Jersey began allowing French people to visit just with their national ID cards, and Guernsey did the same.

Common Travel Area

Main article: Common Travel Area

The three Crown Dependencies are part of a special travel area with the United Kingdom and Ireland. This area lets people travel between these places with very few checks. British and Irish citizens usually just need a simple form of ID to cross these borders.

In May 2019, the leaders of the United Kingdom and Ireland made an agreement to protect travel rights after the United Kingdom left the European Union. This agreement started on 31 January 2020, making sure people could still travel freely between these places. Both governments work together to keep the travel area open and fair for everyone.

Customs Union

Main article: United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union

On 26 November 2018 Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man signed an agreement with the United Kingdom to work together on customs.

The UK–Crown Dependencies Customs Union started on 31 January 2020. In 2020, the UK Government made some rules for customs that also apply to the Crown Dependencies.