Crown dependencies

Location of The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

A British crown dependency is a special type of state. The head of state is the British monarch, who is represented by a Lieutenant-Governor. Each dependency has a parliament, government and prime minister to make all laws, except laws about defence and foreign affairs. Defence and foreign affairs are looked after by the British Government.

But the British government in London has no power in the dependencies, unless the government of the dependency agrees.

British Overseas Territories, which were British colonies, also have a government, parliament and prime minister and can make laws, except laws about defence and foreign affairs; but they were created by the British government and can be taken over by the British government, without the agreement of the British Overseas Territory.

The crown dependencies are

• The Isle of Man,
• The Bailiwick of Jersey, and
• The Bailiwick of Guernsey