Law of Guernsey by the Court of Alderney at a special sitting on Saturday 28 January 2017. King John, who reigned from 1199 to 1216, lost the English-controlled territories in Normandy in France following the 1204 Siege of Château Gaillard, the remaining Norman lands being the Channel Islands. King John promised the islands independence and the right to continue governing themselves after they confirmed their allegiance to the English Crown. Agents of the Crown called bailiffs would enforce the laws and run the courts, one in Jersey and one in Guernsey; the areas under the authority of these bailiffs were called bailiwicks. In
Courts of Guernsey Law Officers of the Crown, Advocates and the Seigneurs and Bordiers owing suit to the Court. Normally held just once a year at the start of the legal year when oaths are taken from HM Procureur, HM Receiver General and HM Comptroller. It is followed by a service at the Town Church then a traditional dinner. Dealing with a mixture of issues, such as explosives licenses, water courses, charitable funds, “Salle Publique Licences” and is an opportunity to admit to the Guernsey Bar, qualified students. Effective from 2006, the "Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000" incorporates into Bailiwick legislation