The Investiture of Madame Bailiff Jessica Roland

Jessica Roland's inauguration took place on Thursday 24th September 2026 in ceremony at St James with a packed audience of family, friends, colleagues, advocates and invited guests from across the Channel Islands. Having served six years as Deputy Bailiff under Sir Richard McMahon, we are confident that our first Madame Bailiff is ready, willing and more than able to take up the mantle.   

Information below taken from the Court website The Bailiff and other Court Officials - Royal Court

The Bailiff
The Bailiff is Guernsey's leading citizen and representative in non-political matters, with functions embracing judicial and civic duties, and a more limited but important parliamentary role.

The Bailiff is, ex officio, a Judge of the Court of Appeal and that Court's President.  She also sits in the Royal Court, either as a single Judge or presiding over such sittings with the Jurats. The Bailiff's parliamentary role involves acting as Presiding Officer of the States of Deliberation, serving as a moderator of debate in the assembly, ruling on questions of procedure and maintaining order.  As civic head of the community, the Bailiff represents Guernsey in and outside the Island on occasions of a non-political nature and will, on behalf of the people of Guernsey, greet and welcome members of the Royal Family and dignitaries visiting the Island.  He has numerous and varied other civic duties and, by convention, will also accept appointment as patron of a number of local charities. 

For a long period Bailiffs were usually appointed from the bench of Jurats, but since 1895 have been qualified lawyers, often having first served as H.M. Procureur, and as Deputy Bailiff since the creation of that office.

Today the Bailiff is appointed by the Sovereign by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, holding office during good behaviour. Appointments are made following a recommendation by the retiring Bailiff to the Lieutenant-Governor.  The Lieutenant-Governor will consult appropriate senior Bailiwick office holders as to the relative merits of nominees.  The Lieutenant-Governor will transmit a recommendation to the Ministry of Justice and the Lord Chancellor who will then make a recommendation to His Majesty The King.