[3]: 22 Significant change took place following the loss of Normandy in 1204 with King John appointing resident Wardens to defend the islands.

[citation needed] The duty of the Bailiff was to preside over the Royal Court and direct the twelve Jurats who had the power to render judgement.

[4]: 111 In 1617 a Privy Council decision clarified the division of civil and military responsibilities between the Bailiffs and the Lieutenant Governors in Guernsey and Jersey.

For the first time the Crown laid down the Bailiff's precedence over the Governor in judicial affairs and in the States chamber.

The duties of the Bailiff were reduced in 2004 to avoid perceived conflicts of interest when acting in a political sense as head of the States of Deliberation with a casting vote in passing laws, followed by sitting in court and ruling on these same laws in a litigation or criminal case.

[4]: 111 The new Bailiff is robed and sworn into the office in front of the Jurats, the Members of the States of Guernsey and Advocates of the Royal Court.