Complaints about States Members or States Greffe employees

​How to complain about a States Member

States Members are expected to behave in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Elected Members, which is set out in Schedule 3 of the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey (right at the end).

Code of Conduct for Elected Members

If you believe that a States Member has breached that Code of Conduct, you should write to the Commissioner for Standards, c/o States Greffe, Morier House, Halkett Place, St. Helier, Jersey, JE1 1DD or by e-mail to Commissioner@pi-cfs.org.  Before submitting a complaint, read the States Greffe Privacy Policy.

The current Commissioner is Dr Melissa McCullough, access the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards website here to find out more about Melissa and her role.  

The Commissioner is appointed by the Privileges and Procedures Committee ('PPC') and may also initiate investigations of their own accord if they believe a breach has occurred.  The Commissioner has the powers to summon people and records as part of any investigation.

The Commissioner will not accept any complaint -

• which is made anonymously;
  
• which they believe to be frivolous, vexatious or unsubstantiated; or
• from someone (who is not a member of the States) about the words or actions of an elected member during a meeting of the States.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commissioner will decide whether there are grounds to investigate.  If there are no grounds for an investigation, the complainant will be notified.  Otherwise, the Commissioner will undertake an investigation and report to PPC with their conclusions and recommendations as to what action, if any, should be taken.

PPC must then review the Commissioner's report and give the States member who was the subject of the complaint an opportunity to address PPC (accompanied, should that member so wish).  PPC must then decide whether the Code of Conduct has been breached and what action, if any, to take.  It must then inform the member concerned of its decision.  The Committee may also report its findings to the Assembly, either by means of a written report or by means of an oral statement by the Chair of PPC.

Commissioner for Standards 

How to complain about a Minister or Assistant Minister

All Ministers and Assistant Ministers are expected to comply at all times with the Code of Conduct for Elected Members.  However, they are also expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers, which is adopted by the Council of Ministers in accordance with Article 18(3A)(b) of the States of Jersey Law 2005. 

Code of Conduct for Ministers 

The Commissioner for Standards is also responsible for investigating complaints against Ministers and Assistant Ministers.  If you believe that a Minister, or Assistant Minister, has breached the Code of Conduct and Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers, you should write to the Commissioner, c/o States Greffe, Morier House, Halkett Place, St. Helier, Jersey, JE1 1DD.

Before submitting a complaint, read the States Greffe Privacy Policy.

The procedures that apply to the Commissioner and PPC for complaints against States members also apply in respect of complaints against Ministers and Assistant Ministers.  However, for complaints against Ministers and Assistant Ministers, PPC may choose simply to publish the Commissioner's report without taking any further action itself.  This affords the Chief Minister, rather than PPC, the opportunity to decide whether the Code of Conduct for Ministers and Assistant Ministers has been breached and, if so, what action to take.

Commissioner for Standards' Guidance.

Complaints received by the Commissioner, 2022 to present

Report by the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against Deputy Kirsten Morel by Deputy Barbara Ward

Report presented to the States on 4th January 2024

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Report by the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against Deputy Karen Wilson and Deputy Geoff Southern by Deputy Rose Binet

Report presented to the States on 21st December 2023

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Report by the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against Deputy Moz Scott referred by Deputy Sam Mézec, President of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee 

Report presented to the States on 29th August 2023

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Report by the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards on two complaints by Deputy Moz Scott against Deputy Andrews

Report presented to the States on 29th August 2023. 

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Report by the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against Deputy Kristina Moore and Deputy Kirsten Morel referred by Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone, Chair of the PPC

Report presented to the States on 20th June 2023.

Complaints received by the Commissioner, prior to 2022

How to complain about an employee of the States Greffe

If you wish to make a complaint about an employee of the States Greffe (including staff employed in the Scrutiny Office), you should put your complaint, in writing, to:

The Greffier of the States
States Greffe
Morier House
Halkett Place
St. Helier
Jersey
JE1 1DD
The Greffier will investigate your complaint and make a decision on it. 

The Greffier and Deputy Greffier must abide by a specific Code of Conduct. 

Download the Code of Conduct for the Greffier and Deputy Greffier. 

If you have a complaint about the Deputy Greffier, you should put it in writing to the Greffier at the address above. 

If you have a complaint about the Greffier, you should put it in writing to either 

The Chair of PPC
c/o States Greffe
Morier House
Halkett Place
St. Helier
Jersey
JE1 1DD 

or to: 

The Bailiff
Bailiff's Chambers
Royal Court House
Royal Square
St. Helier
Jersey
JE1 1BA

The way in which the Greffier, Deputy Greffier and officers of the States Greffe are appointed and dismissed is set out in Part 6 of the States of Jersey Law 2005.

Download the States of Jersey Law 2005.