Duncan Barclay, left, shakes hands with one of the 50 or so workers who work for the family who protested outside Chief Pleas over the adoption of the Reform Law. (Picture by Phil Falle, 0555711)

SARK’S Reform Law should receive royal assent at the Privy Council meeting on 9 April, Chief Pleas was told yesterday.

Petitions against its adoption, and that of the Property Transfer Tax Law, have been rejected by the council’s Channel Islands Committee. But members were warned that Brecqhou owners Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay intended to press ahead with their call for a judicial review of the decision.

The assembly met against the backdrop of a demonstration outside the Island Hall by about 50 or so staff employed by the Barclay family who fear that their jobs may again be under threat. But son Duncan Barclay, attending his second sitting, received cheers and applause from the gathering as he arrived for the meeting, accompanied by lawyers representing Sir David and Sir Frederick.