Relationship dossier
France
Jersey
Relationship assessment
A practical relationship with fisheries cooperation and post-Brexit licensing disputes
France toward Jersey
-10France challenged Jersey’s post-Brexit fishing licence decisions in 2021, with French officials criticizing the restrictions and warning of possible retaliatory measures. This dispute weighs against the practical cooperation between the two sides.
Jersey toward France
+10Jersey issued fishing licences to French vessels under post-Brexit arrangements and managed access through its licensing decisions. Those decisions prompted a dispute with France in 2021, while the licensing process also provided a framework for fisheries access.
Overall relationship
+5The relationship is practical and focused partly on fisheries, but post-Brexit licensing produced a notable confrontation in 2021. Jersey governs many of its own affairs, while the United Kingdom handles its defence and international relations. The limited range of well-established bilateral developments supports a cautious overall assessment.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France and Jersey have a practical relationship shaped in part by fisheries and their proximity. Post-Brexit fishing licences led to a serious dispute in 2021, including French criticism of Jersey’s licensing decisions. Jersey has its own government and autonomy in domestic matters, while the United Kingdom is responsible for its defence and international relations.
Areas of tension
- Post-Brexit fishing licences and access for French vessels in Jersey waters
Key developments
French criticism of Jersey’s post-Brexit fishing licences led to a dispute over access for French vessels and possible retaliatory measures.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of ongoing fisheries arrangements between Jersey and France are unclear.
- Details of direct cooperation between the two governments beyond fisheries are limited.