The story of the States Chamber

Jersey's States Assembly was meeting and debating long before the States Chamber was built. Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 50 years when the 'new' building was first opened and used for a States Meeting in 1887.

In this episode the States Greffe's Dominic Butler shares some historical stories and background to the building and its design.  Who designed it? How has it changed over the years? And what's it like to actually be in the Chamber?

Some of this episode is recorded on location in the States Chamber, where we talk about the experience of sitting in the Public Gallery; take a look at the view from the Bailiff's chair; and test the microphones and voting buttons as used by States Members during meetings.

Interviewee: Dominic Butler
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Book tickets for a Blue Badge Guided tour:  Royal Court and States Chamber Tour Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Check the date of the next States Meeting and come to see the action in person from the States Chamber Public Gallery: States Assembly (gov.je)

Read more about the history of the States Chamber and the States Assembly: History and information about the States Assembly (gov.je) 

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email statesgreffe@gov.je

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Chapters

• 0:10 Introduction
• 1:25 How old is the States Chamber?
• 6:33 What happened in the first meeting in the Chamber?
• 7:23 How has the Chamber evolved over the years?
• 10:06 Does the States Assembly have to meet in the Chamber?
• 11:00 The view from the Public Gallery
• 15:25 Where do States Members sit during meetings?
• 18:47 The best view in the room: the Bailiff's point of view