Michael Birt (barrister)

For other people with the same name, see Michael Birt.

Sir Michael Birt
KC
Michael Birt pictured at a ceremonial function in 2011
Bailiff of Jersey
In office
2009–2015
Preceded byPhilip Bailhache
Succeeded byWilliam Bailhache
Personal details
Born(1948-08-25)August 25, 1948
NationalityBritish

Sir Michael Cameron St John Birt, KC (born 25 August 1948) was the 88th Bailiff of Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Birt was educated in Jersey at St. Michael's Preparatory School then at Marlborough College. He went on to read law at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was called to the English Bar in 1970 and practised as a barrister at 2 Crown Office Row for five years.[1] He returned to Jersey and qualified at the Jersey Bar in 1977.[2]

He was sworn in as an advocate of the Royal Court on 3 October 1977.[3] From 1976 to 1993 he was in private practice with the Jersey law firm Ogier & Le Cornu. In January 1994 he was appointed as HM Attorney General for Jersey. In February 2000, he became Deputy Bailiff. [citation needed]

In July 2009, he was appointed Bailiff, in succession to Sir Philip Bailhache.[4][5][6]

A group of protesters demonstrated outside Birt's swearing-in ceremony in the Royal Court of Jersey, angry about decisions not to bring more prosecutions following investigations into child abuse in Jersey.[7]

As Bailiff of Jersey, Birt was an ex officio member of the Jersey Court of Appeal. In December 2013, Sir Michael announced he would retire as Bailiff of Jersey in January 2015.[8]

  1. ^ Profile, jerseycourts.je; accessed 11 November 2014. Archived 12 November 2014 at archive.today
  2. ^ Who's Who (London: A & C Black, 2008).
  3. ^ "New advocate will maintain tradition". Jersey Weekly Post. 14 October 1977.[dead link]
  4. ^ BBC News, "Michael Birt to become bailiff"; accessed 11 November 2014.
  5. ^ B Queree, "New Bailiff to take up reins in June"[usurped], Jersey Evening Post
  6. ^ Channel Online, "Michael Birt is sworn as Bailiff", channelonline.tv; accessed 11 November 2014. Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Protestors heckle Bailiff", channelonline; accessed 11 November 2014. Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Birt announces retirement as Jersey Bailiff, bbc.co.uk; accessed 11 November 2014.