Civil litigation procedure in Guernsey is governed by The Royal
Court Civil Rules 2007 ("RCCR").
All commercial disputes with a value over £10,000 will be
heard in The Royal Court of Guernsey, disputes with a lower value,
known as Petty Debts, are dealt with in the Magistrate's
Court.
If the Defendant is in Guernsey
To start proceedings in Guernsey, the RCCR require that a Cause
shall be tabled before the Royal Court. The Cause needs to contain
a statement of the material facts on which the Plaintiff intends to
rely and a statement of the relief sought. This document is similar
to the particulars of claim in England and Wales.
Before a Cause can be tabled, the Plaintiff must issue a
Summons. This document must state the day and time when the
Plaintiff intends to table the Cause before the Royal Court, which
hearing takes place on a Friday morning at 9.30am. The Summons must
contain a copy of the Cause and must be served on the Defendant by
Her Majesty's
