Committee of Inquiry

Members of the public are allowed to sit on Committees of Inquiry.

If the States believe that something of interest to the public should be looked at, they can appoint a Committee of Inquiry to look into the matter.

The maximum number of people to sit on a Committee of Inquiry is five. Some of those chosen may be States Members but others can be asked from the general public. Anyone who might have skills or knowledge which is of use can be asked to sit on it. The States can also say who is going to Chair the Committee and how many people need to meet for the committee to be considered fully formed or quorate. Occasionally only one person is asked to look into a matter, in which case they are also the President and the meeting is quorate with one.

A person appointed to a Committee of Inquiry has to take an oath before the Bailiff.