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 very close to the United Kingdom, they are not actually part of it.

These islands are self-governing, meaning 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 ultimate power to make decisions for them rests with the King-in-Council, though this is rarely used without the agreement of the islands.

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 argue about the name "Crown Dependencies." A leader from Guernsey said this name might not be right because it makes it sound like the islands depend on the Crown. He suggests using a different 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

Over time, some towns and villages asked to be officially recognized as important places. This could mean being called a borough or even a city by the monarch. As new church areas were created, getting city status often meant having a cathedral.

Not all places with cathedrals became cities. For example, St Patrick's Isle near the Isle of Man had a medieval cathedral but never got city status. A new cathedral called Peel Cathedral was built nearby much later.

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

Constitutional status

The Crown Dependencies are three island territories closely linked to the United Kingdom but are not part of it. They are self-governing and have their own laws, which must be approved 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 needing this approval.

The monarch is represented by a Lieutenant Governor in each dependency, but this role is mostly ceremonial. Each dependency has its own special relationship 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

Although the Crown Dependencies are not independent members of the Commonwealth of Nations, they are connected to it through the United Kingdom. They take part in some Commonwealth groups and events on their own. For instance, all three are part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth Games.

The leaders of these islands think their current position is not ideal and have asked for more involvement in the Commonwealth. They want 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 did not follow rules about moving people, services, or money freely. Their people were still considered 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 keep looking after the interests of these islands in world matters. One big problem was about fishing rights, which was later solved by allowing direct talks between the islands and nearby areas.

After Brexit, the UK required EU citizens to show passports to visit places like Jersey, which reduced visitors. This changed in 2022 when Jersey started letting French people 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 that includes the United Kingdom and Ireland. This area allows people to 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 a formal agreement to protect the travel rights of their citizens after the United Kingdom left the European Union. This agreement became active on 31 January 2020, ensuring that 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 a customs agreement with the United Kingdom to create a customs union together.

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