Courts Division

Functions

The primary function of Courts Division is the provision of administrative support to the following:

Staff of Government Division
High Court and Court of General Gaol Delivery
Summary Courts
Coroner of Inquests
Licensing Court
Land Court
Commissions Rogatoire
Small Claims Arbitrations
Registration of Legal Practitioners
Probate
Default Actions
Enduring Power of Attorney

The High Court of Justice consists of three civil divisions - the Chancery Division, the Common Law Division and the Family Law Division, together with the Staff of Government Division (the Court of Appeal).

The Judges of the High Court of Justice are:

the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls, His Honour the Deemster Kerruish
the Second Deemster, His Honour the Deemster Doyle
the Deputy Deemster, His Honour the Deemster Corlett and
the Judge of Appeal, His Honour Deemster Tattersall

all of whom are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

A Deemster may sit in any division but the Judge of Appeal may sit in the Court of Appeal only.

The Court of General Gaol Delivery deals with serious criminal matters and applications for orders of productions and restraint.

The Summary Courts involves the processing of cases through the Summary Courts of Jurisdiction where they are dealt with by His Worship the High Bailiff, T. M. Moyle, the Judicial Officer, Mr. A. A. Montgomerie, or the Magistrates.

Both the High Bailiff and the Judicial Officer act as Coroner of Inquests. All sudden or unexpected deaths are reported to the Coroner who decides whether or not it is necessary to hold an Inquest.

The Summary Courts Office issues all the licenses for public houses, restaurants, residential hotels, retail off-licences, passenger vessels as well as music and dancing licences and cinematograph licences. Licensing extension requests are dealt with on a weekly basis administratively. Licensing Courts are held on the second Thursday of every month.

Land Courts are undertaken by the High Bailiff who chairs a three person panel which decides the outcome of various applications made to them.

Commissions Rogatoire involve taking oral evidence together with exhibits from various people, such evidence being sought in relation to proceedings in Courts in the U.K. and other countries.

Restricted matters may be heard in the informal Court of the Small Claims Arbitrator.

The General Registry is also responsible for the registration of Legal Practitioners on the Isle of Man, please see the specific page for this function.

Copies of Court recordings may be produced to interested parties, please use the link below to download the free software required to play the recording.

Copies of Court recordings may be produced to interested parties, please use this link to download the free software required to play the recording.

DisabledGo Information

Terms & Conditions