Deemster

A deemster (Manx: briw) is a judge in the Isle of Man. The High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man is presided over by a deemster or, in the case of the appeal division of that court, a deemster and the Judge of Appeal. The deemsters also promulgate the Laws on Tynwald Day by reading them out to the people in English and Manx.

Previously the First and Second Deemsters had seats in the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man. The Second Deemster was removed in 1965^[1] and the First Deemster in 1975.^[2]

There are currently three full-time Deemsters in the Isle of Man. These are the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls (who is also the Deputy Governor), the Second Deemster, and an additional full-time Deemster. The offices of First Deemster, Second Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls are ancient offices. The offices of First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls were combined in 1918,^[3] and a new office of Deputy Deemster was created in 2002^[4] but abolished in 2009.^[5] Additional deemsters, full-time or part-time, may now be appointed; the present full-time additional deemster previously held the office of Deputy Deemster, and additional part-time deemsters (previously called 'Acting Deemsters') are appointed from time to time to hear a particular case.

The current Deemsters are:

• the First Deemster (Manx: Briwnyssey) and Clerk of the Rolls (Manx: Cleragh ny Lioaryn), David Doyle QC
• the Second Deemster, Andrew Corlett
• Deemster Alastair Montgomerie and
• the Judge of Appeal, Geoffrey Tattersall QC

The First Deemster, Second Deemster and Judge of Appeal are appointed by, and hold office during the pleasure of, Queen Elizabeth II,^[6] (acting on the advice of the UK's Secretary of State for Justice). Additional Deemsters are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the First Deemster.^[7] By virtue of being ex officio Deputy Governor, the First Deemster acts in place of the Lieutenant Governor in the latter's absence, or during a vacancy in that office.

Unlike judges in the United Kingdom, Deemsters have no security of tenure and thus have no legal protection against dismissal by the government. The process whereby the appointment and removal of Manx judges occur on the formal advice of United Kingdom politicians is seen as an effective alternative.

First Deemsters

• Daniel Lace, 1765–1812
• John Crellin, 1812–1816
• Norris Moore, 1816–1819
• John Cosnahan, 1819
• Thomas Gawne, 1819–1823
• John Christian, 1823–1847
• John Joseph Heywood, 1847–1855
• Sir William Drinkwater, 1855–1898
• Sir James Gell, 1898–1900
• Thomas Kneen, 1900–1905
• Stevenson Stewart Moore, 1905–1916

First Deemsters and Clerk of the Rolls

• Stevenson Stewart Moore, 1916–1921
• Charles Cheslyn Callow, 1921–1934
• Reginald Douglas Farrant, 1934–1947
• William Percy Cowley, 1947–1958
• Sydney James Kneale, 1958–1969
• George Edgar Moore, 1969–1974
• Robert Kinley Eason, 1974–1980
• Arthur Christian Luft, 1980–1988
• John William Corrin QC, 1988–1998
• Thomas William Cain QC, 1998–2003
• Michael Kerruish QC, 2003–2010
• David Doyle QC, 2010-Present

Second Deemsters

• Peter John Heywood, 1765–1768
• Daniel Mylrea, 1768–1773
• Thomas Moore, 1773–1794
• John Crellin, 1794–1816
• Thomas Gawne, 1816–1819
• John Christian, 1819–1820
• John McHutchin, 1820–1821
• John Joseph Heywood, 1821–1847
• Sir William Drinkwater, 1847–1855
• John Clucas Stephen, 1855–1880
• Sir Alured Dumbell, 1880–1883
• Richard Sherwood, 1883–1884
• John Frederick Gill, 1884–1899
• Thomas Kneen, 1899–1900
• Stevenson Stewart Moore, 1900–1905
• Charles Callow, 1905–1921
• Frederick Malcolm Lamothe, 1921–1925
• Reginald Douglas Farrant, 1925–1934
• William Percy Cowley, 1934–1947
• Ramsey Gelling Johnson, 1947–1954
• James Arthur Cain, 1954–1957
• Sydney James Kneale, 1957–1958
• Bruce MacPherson, 1958–1969
• Robert Eason, 1969–1974
• Arthur Luft, 1974–1980
• John William Corrin QC, 1980–1988
• Henry Callow, 1988–1993
• Thomas William Cain QC, 1993–1998
• Michael Kerruish QC, 1998–2003
• David Doyle QC, 2003–2010
• Andrew Corlett, 2011–Present

Criminal Deemster

• Alastair Montgomerie, 2011–Present

Deputy Deemsters

• Andrew Williamson, 2002–2007
• Andrew Corlett, 2007–2011

In fiction

One of the main characters in Alfred Hitchcock 1929 drama film "The Manxman" is the Deemster, and his holding this position is of central importance to the film's plot.

See also

• Tynwald
• Clerk of the Rolls
• Manx Judiciary

References

1. Isle of Man Constitution (Amendment) Act 1965
2. Isle of Man Constitution (Amendment) Act 1975
3. Judicature (Amendment) Act 1918; see now High Court Act 1991 s.3A(6).
4. Civil Jurisdiction Act 2001 s.7
5. Administration of Justice Act 2008
6. High Court Act 1991 s.3A
7. High Court Act 1991 s.3B

External links

• Isle of Man Courts