First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls Andrew Corlett has been elected an Honorary Master of the Bench of Gray’s Inn.
Gray’s Inn is one of the four Inns of Court responsible for the training and governance of barristers in England and Wales.
Honorary Benchers are appointed in recognition of their contribution to the law and legal profession.
Jersey & Guernsey
He has also been appointed by His Majesty the King to sit on the Courts of Appeal in Jersey and Guernsey, reflecting a growing practice of senior judges from the Crown Dependencies serving in each other’s jurisdictions.
He is expected to sit in the Channel Islands for around two to three weeks each year, and has recently returned from Guernsey where he heard appeals across criminal, civil and matrimonial matters.
Deemster Corlett said the Gray’s Inn honour was significant both personally and for the Manx judiciary, strengthening long‑standing links between the Island and the Inn where he was called to the Bar in 1984.
Neighbouring Jurisdictions
He added that sitting in neighbouring jurisdictions offers valuable opportunities to share experience and learn from different legal approaches.
The Bailiffs of Jersey and Guernsey, the islands’ Chief Justices, have also sat in the Isle of Man as Acting Deemsters and will continue to do so when required.
Deemster Corlett became a member of the Manx judiciary in 2007 and was appointed First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in 2018.
