Jersey scraps French study

Jersey's parliament has scrapped the law which requires the Island's advocates to study Norman and French law at the University of Caen.

Introduced in 1993, the rule stemmed from the fact that Jersey's customary and contract laws are based on French law.

The Jersey Law Society said the rule was preventing mature students from training to be an advocate, Jersey's equivalent of a barrister, because it meant mature students had to spend time away from their families.

The parliament of Jersey has also decided to make it more difficult to take the 'easier' route to becoming an advocate by first qualifying as a solicitor, thereby avoiding the need to take the English Bar exams.

Newly-qualified solicitors must now practise for three years before being admitted as an advocate.

President of the Jersey Law Society and senior partner at Becquet & Syvrte said: "These changes ensure that if people want to become advocates they will go through the proper procedure."

The changes to the rules are expected to come back to the States of Jersey for their third and final reading later this year.