SARK has taken the first step towards splitting the dual role of the island’s Seneschal.

At present, the Seneschal presides over both the island’s court and its legislature.

In its report to Chief Pleas, the General Purposes and Advisory Committee said that because of a ruling of the English Court of Appeal, the UK Government was in violation of its international obligations on human rights and remains subject to legal challenge until Sark deals with the reform of the office of Seneschal.

However, GP&A failed to secure an outright majority for its proposal to return to Chief Pleas in October with a detailed report for the division of functions.

When the vote was taken, 12 of the conseillers supported the committee with seven voting against and five abstentions.

Committee chairman Charles Maitland (pictured) told members that it was in Sark’s interest to build a good relationship with the Ministry of Justice and he warned the assembly that they should make no mistake – ‘London is watching the situation here very carefully’.

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