Sark Democratic reforms designed to drag the tiny Channel Island of Sark out of feudalism into the 21st century are still not good enough, a lawyer for the billionaire Barclay brothers told the High Court.

Sark's new constitution, approved last month, 450 years after Queen Elizabeth I established the “noble fiefdom”, does not meet the modern standards set by European and British human rights laws requiring free and fair elections, said David Pannick, QC, for the Barclays.

Although most members of Sark's parliament — known as the Chief Pleas — would now be elected, the holder of the inherited title of Seigneur of Sark would not. And the island's judge, the Seneschal, would remain an unelected member of the Chief Pleas and its president.

In a judicial review hearing set for two days, Mr Pannick urged the judge to rule that the new constitution should be reconsidered.

Twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, owners of The Daily Telegraph, own land on Sark and on their home island of Brecqhou. The brothers dispute Sark's claim to have jurisdiction over Brecqhou.

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