First Deemster and Clerk of Rolls appointed to senior roles

The Isle of Man’s First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls has been elected as an Honorary Master of the Bench of Gray’s Inn.

It’s one of the four professional associations for barristers and judges in England and Wales.

His Honour Andrew Corlett has also been appointed by the King to the Courts of Appeal in both Jersey and Guernsey.

To practise law in England and Wales barristers must belong to one of the four Inns of Court as only members of an Inn can legally be called to the Bar.

The Inns play an important role in the continuing education, professional development and social life of barristers.

Masters of the Bench, known as Benchers, are responsible for the governance of the Inns of Court, although Honorary Benchers do not play a direct role.

First Deemster Corlett was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray’s Inn in 1984 before returning to the Island as a practising advocate in 2007.

He said: “It is a particular honour both in a personal sense and for the Island’s judiciary and legal profession to be elected.

“It is my hope that it will strengthen the close historical links between the Isle of Man and Gray’s Inn.”

His appointment to the Courts of Appeal in Jersey and Guernsey reflects the recent practice of senior judges from the three Crown Dependencies occasionally sitting in each other’s courts.

It’s anticipated that the First Deemster will sit in Jersey and Guernsey for two to three weeks a year.

He was appointed First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in 2018.