Parish Hall Enquiry

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A Parish Hall Enquiry is normally the final stage of the investigative processes following an alleged offence that occurs in Jersey. It is an opportunity for the Centenier to review the evidence of the case and discuss it with the accused. Attendance is entirely voluntary and at any time the accused may elect to plead his case before the Magistrate.

The Parish Hall Enquiry allows a Centenier to investigate a reported incident to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify a charge and if so, whether the public interest requires a prosecution or whether the matter can be dealt with in some other way at the Enquiry. The Centenier is empowered, by law, to:-

1) Take no further action where a case is unsubstantiated

2) Dismiss or issue advice where the offence is minor

3) Issue a formal caution, where a minor offence is admitted

4) Impose a fine of up to £100 in specified cases where the offence is admitted

5) Charge a person for an offence for trial at the Magistrate’s Court where:

a) the offence is not admitted but the Centenier believes there is a case to answer

b) the offence is admitted, but the nature of the offence or the offender's record makes it unsuitable for disposal at the Parish Hall Enquiry.^[1]