Living and working guide for lawyers in Jersey

Overview of Jersey

Are you a lawyer and looking to move to Jersey? It’s a popular destination for many legal professionals looking to relocate to an offshore territory – and for good reason.

Jersey is the largest and southernmost of the Channel Islands, covering 118 km² and just 22 km from the Normandy coast of France. Known for its stunning countryside, pristine beaches and a blend of British and French influences, Jersey is a unique place to live and work. The population is around 90,000, with 30% living in the capital, St Helier, which is also the main financial centre of the island.

The financial services sector is the largest contributor to the economy, making up about 60% of GDP, with tourism, electronic commerce and agriculture rounding out the rest. There is also a thriving legal sector, with several prominent law firms in Jersey. The island offers a high quality of life and a low-key yet cosmopolitan atmosphere.

A crown dependency

Crown dependencies have the status of “territories for which the United Kingdom is responsible”, rather than sovereign states. As a result, they are not member states of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Crown dependencies include:

• Guernsey
• Jersey
• Isle of Man

As the Crown Dependencies are not sovereign states, the power to pass legislation affecting the islands ultimately rests with the King-in-Council (though this power is rarely exercised without the consent of the dependencies and the right to do so is disputed). However, they each have their own legislative assembly, with power to legislate on many local matters.

Living in Jersey

Jersey’s lifestyle is built around its natural beauty, relaxed pace of life and vibrant social scene. St Helier is the heart of the island, where cobbled streets are lined with UK high street shops, charming country pubs and a range of restaurants, from Michelin-starred fine dining to casual beachside cafes. The Waterfront Centre in St Helier is home to an eight-screen cinema, plus regular theatre productions, comedy shows and live music.

One of the great perks of working in Jersey is the work-life balance. While lawyers will meet deadlines, it is uncommon for them to work past 6pm, allowing ample time to enjoy outdoor pursuits. Cricket is the most popular sport, but the island also offers excellent opportunities for golf, cycling, walking and a range of water sports. Jersey boasts over 80 km of ‘Green Lanes’, where walkers, cyclists and horse riders have priority and cars are limited to a 24 km/h speed limit.

Living in Jersey is simple and convenient. Most people walk or bike around town and while many eventually purchase a second-hand car, commuting is generally short and easy. Jersey also has excellent education and healthcare systems, both of which are highly regarded.

The time zone is GMT/BST – the same as the UK.

Accommodation

Jersey operates a three-tiered property market system, with Local Market and Open Market categories for housing. Rent and property prices are generally more affordable than in London, although the island’s limited housing stock means that properties can be highly sought-after.

• Local Market properties are available to residents who are either locally qualified or hold a J-category licence. These licences are allocated annually by firms to employees, with seniority playing a key role in securing one.
• Open Market properties are available to all, but these tend to be more expensive and fewer in number.

Rent for a two-bedroom apartment typically ranges from £1,500 to £3,000 per month, depending on location and amenities. Family-sized homes or those with sea views tend to be on the higher end of the scale.

Weather in Jersey

Jersey enjoys a mild and relatively sunny climate, similar to the southern UK but generally warmer.

• Summer (May–September): Temperatures often exceed 25°C, with long sunny days and blue skies
• Winter (October–April): The weather is cooler, with daytime temperatures averaging 10°C–15°C. Rainfall is relatively low during the summer but peaks in the winter months, though showers tend to clear quickly

Travel to and from Jersey

Jersey Airport (JER) is located just 7.4 km from St Helier (around a 15-minute taxi ride). The island is well-connected with regular flights from London (up to 12 daily flights) and other UK regional airports, with journey times of less than an hour. Jersey also has direct flights from several European cities.

Additionally, there are ferry services that connect the island with St Malo, France and other UK ports, with journey times ranging from three to four hours.

You don’t need a passport to travel there from the UK or Ireland, however customs and border control may ask to see a form of photographic identification.

Working as a lawyer in Jersey

Jersey’s legal and professional services sector is thriving, with demand across a range of specialisms, including:

• Corporate/Commercial
• Litigation (all practice areas)
• Banking/Finance
• Investment Funds
• Trust/Private Client
• Employment
• Pensions
• Compliance

If you’re looking to work as a solicitor in Jersey and/or the Channel Islands, contact me to find out more.

Work Permits and Legal Qualifications

Work permits are not required for UK and EEA* passport holders. Commonwealth citizens may qualify for an ancestry visa to work in Jersey. For all other professionals, a Skilled Worker Visa is required to work on the island. If needed, employers will typically apply for the visa on behalf of the employee, with a processing time of about four weeks.

To become Jersey-qualified, lawyers must practice on the island for at least two years and then pass a series of six exams. However, lawyers can practice law in Jersey with their existing Commonwealth or UK qualifications. Firms in Jersey encourage their lawyers to become Jersey-qualified and offer in-house training to support this process.

*includes EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Remuneration and Benefits in Jersey

Salaries for lawyers in Jersey are competitive with those in London, although typically slightly lower than the rates offered by Magic Circle firms. Relocation expenses and temporary accommodation are usually provided as part of the package. Discretionary annual bonuses are also common.

Jersey offers a very attractive tax regime, with a flat income tax rate of 20%, which is lower than in many other jurisdictions. The official currency is the Jersey Pound (JEP), which is pegged to the GBP and GBP is widely accepted across the island.

Benchmark salaries in law firms in Jersey.

Legal jobs in Jersey

If you’re looking for a legal job in Jersey, head to our jobs page.

Law firms in Jersey

* Magic Circle

About the author: Sam specialises in the recruitment of private practice lawyers in offshore territories. Contact Sam James if you are looking for the leading legal recruitment agency in Jersey and the Channel Islands.