Simcocks’ advocate David Clegg has been awarded the 2013 George Johnson Law Prize.
Mr Clegg, 25, won the award for his essay ‘How should the courts balance the principle of open justice with privacy and confidentiality concerns?’
Presenting the award His Honour Deemster Doyle said Mr Clegg’s submission was ‘truly a first-class essay’ and ‘a joy to read’, and chose to quote the conclusion that stated: ‘A greater degree of openness offers great benefits in furthering the public’s understanding of the court process, greater public oversight and a spur to continued improvement…’
His Honour added that the author had shown an ‘in-depth understanding’ of the subject that was ‘well balanced and well researched’, which augured well for Mr Clegg’s future as a member of the Manx Bar.
Receiving his certificate Mr Clegg said: ‘I am honoured to be presented with such a distinguished prize. My subject matter - open justice - is something which I feel particularly strongly about. I am grateful to Simcocks for its support and am pleased to be joining a number of other past winners of the prize within the firm.’
Founded in 1943 in memory of George Sayle Johnson, a former president of the Isle of Man Law Society, the award seeks to encourage the study of law and establish a bank of authoritative Manx jurisprudence through the submission of an academic paper.
Mr Clegg’s essay will shortly be added to those of previous winners and be available to be viewed on the Small Jurisdictions Service repository of Oxford Brookes University at http://tinyurl.com/obazps4.
Photo - His Honour Deemster Doyle presents David Clegg with the 2013 George Johnson Law Prize. Also pictured is Isle of Man Law Society president Kevin O’Riordan.
