New Falkland Islands Chief Justice appointed
The Honourable the Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands sworn in
Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands sworn in
On instructions from the Secretary of State, His Excellency the Governor has formally appointed Mr Simon Bryan QC as the Honourable the Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands.
He was officially sworn in by the Governor at a ceremony held at Government House on Friday 8 May.
The Governor said he was pleased to have such a distinguished lawyer and judge to take on the role of Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands. He said, “This will help ensure the Courts in the Falkland Islands are ready to deal with challenges in the future development of the country.”
The new Chief Justice studied law at Magdalene College Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge University in 1987 with a double-first class honours degree in law, following which he was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1988 by Lincoln’s Inn. He has practised at the English Commercial Bar since 1989 specialising in shipping, energy and international commercial litigation.
He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 2006, a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2009 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2013, sitting in the Administrative Court where he hears judicial review cases. The same year he was elected as a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn. He is also an arbitrator and mediator, and acts as an advocacy trainer for Lincoln’s Inn.
Mr Bryan said he was delighted to have accepted his appointment as Chief Justice and had already greatly enjoyed meeting members of the community on his familiarisation visit to the Falkland Islands with his wife, Katharine. He said, “ I am proud to take up the position of Chief Justice and very much look forward to carrying out my role and taking an active part in the life of the Falkland Islands over the years ahead.”
A freeman of the City of London and liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, the Chief Justice and Mrs Bryan live in rural Hertfordshire and have two adult children who are currently studying at universities in England.