First published by Aurigny – En Voyage, July 2019
It has been confirmed that the Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard
Collas, will retire in May 2020 and that his current deputy,
Richard McMahon will replace him.
The position of Bailiff, like most Guernsey legal institutions,
has its roots in twelfth century Normandy. The Bailiff is the
judicial and civic head of the Island and is appointed by the
sovereign. The office of Bailiff is mentioned in a 12th century
verse by Robert Wallace, which states that, the role of Bailiff was
so busy that "hardly is an hour free".
"So many are the plaints and quarrels
Not to mention customs old and novel
That hardly is an hour free,
Everyday a summons to plea:
