Guide To Recognition And Enforcement Of Foreign Judgments In Guernsey

1. INTRODUCTION

Guernsey is a distinct jurisdiction from that of England and Wales with its own legal history, legal system and laws. Guernsey is not part of the European Union, is not a member of the European Economic Area and is not a signatory to the Brussels or Lugano Conventions. The judgments of foreign courts cannot, therefore, be directly enforced in Guernsey simply by way of execution.

A foreign judgment may be enforced within Guernsey by one of two routes:

1. pursuant to the Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) (Guernsey) Law, 1957 (as amended) (Reciprocal Enforcement Law); or
2. pursuant to common law principles.

2. THE RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT LAW

2.1 Registration of Foreign Judgments