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States of Deliberation - Procedures

The States of Deliberation meet approximately every three weeks throughout the year excluding school holidays. Normal meetings commence on a Wednesday and may last for three days, any business not concluded being dealt with at the next scheduled normal meeting. Special meetings commence on a Tuesday.

The Bailiff of Guernsey is the ex-officio Presiding Officer. The Bailiff holds this office not by virtue of the Letters Patent appointing him to office but by virtue of the provisions of The Reform (Guernsey) Law 1948 which crystallised in statutory form the custom and practice over centuries. The clerk of the States is ex officio His Majesty's Greffier.

It is the Presiding Officer's duty to maintain order, moderate debate and regulate the conduct of business.

Guernsey's system of government operates on a system based on consensus. There has been no move to set up and maintain political parties.

The Presiding Officer discharges his duties in a strict non-political manner and because he is not a constituency member of the Parliament no constituency is denied to full time unfettered representation.

A list of deputies including those elected as Presidents of Committees, meeting dates and further information about States business can be found at www.gov.gg/parliament .

The States of Deliberation comprises 38 deputies elected in seven districts plus two representatives from Alderney's Parliament known as the States of Alderney. In addition, the Bailiwick's Law Officers of the Crown ex officio have seats, but they have no voice except on matters affecting the constitution and when responding to legal questions.