New courtrooms created at Jubilee Wharf

Friday, 4 September 2026 10:00

Two new courtrooms have been created in an empty government building on the Esplanade in St Helier to help the Royal Court cope with the number of cases.

Courts 3 and 4 at Jubilee Wharf aim to help ease the Royal Court's busy schedule, and provide a more modern setting for jurors, victims and witnesses.

It follows an independent criminal justice review which called for more capacity and a set up better suited to vulnerable witnesses.

They were among recommendations made by Eleanor Laws KC in her report published in February.

Read: Updating Jersey's Royal Court should be a government priority

Currently, Royal Court cases are heard in two main courtrooms in the 160 year old building in the Royal Square.

Often, the Old Library is used as a secondary hearing or jury room.

Jersey's Bailiff, Robert MacRae, says these two new courtrooms will provide a more modern setting for jury trials civil and child cases.

There are dedicated rooms for jurors, victims, police and counsel.

He says they're not a permanent solution to addressing the review, but building a bespoke court cost a 'considerable' sum.

“A great deal of work has been done by a great many people to enable us to be able to provide these new facilities, which will significantly increase both the capacity and flexibility of the Royal Courts.”

“The new courtrooms will help us to manage our busy schedule and accommodate many cases already listed and to be listed in the future, while providing modern and appropriate facilities for jurors, those involved in proceedings and members of the public.”

The first trial to be heard at Jubilee Wharf will be the Haut Du Mont trial, which begins on Monday 7 September and is listed for 12 weeks.