The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Lowered the statutory fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record checks and update services in Guernsey.
These Regulations reduce the fees charged for various types of criminal record certificates and update services in Guernsey.
The measure applies to individuals applying for basic, standard, or enhanced criminal record checks and those utilizing the update service for certificate monitoring.
By amending existing 2009 regulations, the Secretary of State lowers the cost of standard and basic certificates to £20, enhanced certificates to £41, and update service requests to £15.
Arguments For
The explanatory note states that these amendments ensure fee parity by making corresponding decreases to those already implemented in England and Wales.
The document indicates the fee reductions apply across all levels of disclosure, including basic, standard, and enhanced certificates.
The instrument reduces the financial cost for individuals and employers in Guernsey requiring criminal record updates or certifications.
Arguments Against
The document notes that a full impact assessment was not produced, which could be questioned by those seeking detailed data on the economic effects of fee changes.
Legal observers might note that the effective date is contingent on registration by the Royal Court of Guernsey, creating a period of administrative uncertainty until that action is completed.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and come into force on the day after the day on which it is registered by the Royal Court of Guernsey.
- (2) These Regulations extend to Guernsey.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and their geographic reach, which is limited to Guernsey.
It specifies that the legal changes do not take effect until one day after the Royal Court of Guernsey formally registers the document.
Amendments to the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Guernsey) Regulations 2009
- -(1) The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Guernsey) Regulations 2009( 4 ) are amended as follows.
- (2) In regulation 4 (fees for criminal conviction certificates, criminal record certificates and enhanced criminal record certificates)- (a) in paragraph (a), for '£21.50' substitute '£20';
- (b) in paragraph (b), for '£21.50' substitute '£20';
- (c) in paragraph (c), for '£49.50' substitute '£41'.
(3) In regulation 4A(1) (fees for requesting up-date information( 5 ) under section 116A of the Police Act 1997)-
- (a) in sub-paragraph (a), for '£16' substitute '£15';
- (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for '£16' substitute '£15'.
This section mandates specific reductions in the costs of background checks.
It reduces the fee for basic and standard criminal record certificates from £21.50 to £20.00 and lowers the fee for enhanced certificates from £49.50 to £41.00.
Additionally, it reduces the fee for accessing the criminal record update service from £16.00 to £15.00.
Related
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 3 and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Delayed the implementation of new anti-social behaviour case review procedures that were due to begin on 26 October 2026.
Read MoreThe Power to Award Degrees etc. (MLA College Ltd) Order 2026
Authorized MLA College Ltd to grant taught awards and degrees in specific subjects for a four-year period starting 25 October 2026.
Read MoreThe Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Adjusted marine licensing fees, introduced annual inflation-linked increases, and modified exemptions for activities affecting Highly Protected Marine Areas.
Read More