The 2014 George Johnson Law Prize has been awarded to Andrew Newton, an articled clerk with Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC.
Mr Newton, 25, won the award for his essay ‘Does the rule of law add economic value?’
The George Johnson Law Prize was established in 1943 in memory of George Sayle Johnson, a former president of the Isle of Man Law Society, with the object of encouraging the study of law.
Presenting the award His Honour Deemster Doyle said that the prize had ‘a long and distinguished history’. He continued: ‘It is a great honour to win it, or at least that’s what I thought when I won it in 1980.’ His Honour said he was relieved Mr Newton had concluded in his well considered essay that the rule of law did, indeed, add economic value and observed that ‘the objective of the prize had been satisfied.’
Mr Newton, who was joined at the presentation by his parents, a number of his Appleby colleagues and president of the Isle of Man Law Society Kevin O’Riordan, said the law and economics were ‘two passions close to my heart’ and that writing the essay had afforded him opportunities to express opinions on both.
He continued: ‘It was a pleasure to write the essay. The George Johnson Law Prize is a great tradition - one I applaud the Isle of Man Law Society for upholding - and I am proud to be part of that tradition.’
Deemster Doyle presented Mr Newton with a certificate and engraved pen in recognition of his success.
Photo - His Honour Deemster Doyle presents Andrew Newton with the 2014 George Johnson Law Prize as Isle of Man Law Society president Kevin O’Riordan looks on. Picture Andrew Barton.
