There are three full-time judges on the Isle of Man known as
'Deemsters'.
Chief Judge of the High Court of Justice
The First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls is the Chief Judge of the
island's High Court of Justice and, in the absence of the Governor,
acts as Deputy Governor.
Ancient Origins
The office of Deemster is of very ancient origin.
The name is derived from the 'doom' or judgement which, before
written records were kept, the Deemster gave as 'Breast
Law'.
Tynwald
At the Tynwald Ceremony it still remains the duty of the Deemsters
to promulgate Acts of Tynwald (officially declare new laws) in both
Manx and English. They read aloud the title of each Act
and a memorandum containing a brief statement from
Tynwald Hill.
Current Deemsters
First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls
David Doyle QC, 2010-Present
Second Deemster
Andrew Corlett, 2011-Present
Criminal Deemster
Alastair Montgomerie, 2011-Present