Anthony Edward Dudley is a Gibraltarian barrister, and one of the two judges of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar.
Anthony Edward Dudley | |
|---|---|
 Anthony Dudley | |
| Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar | |
| Assumed office 2010 | |
| Appointed by | Governor of Gibraltar Sir Adrian Johns |
| Preceded by | Derek Schofield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gibraltar |
| Nationality | British (Gibraltarian) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Barrister |
| Profession | Judge |
Biography
editDudley was called to the Bar in 1989. After working several years in private practice, he became Registrar to the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, and subsequently, Stipendiary Magistrate and Coroner. After being appointed Additional Judge, became Acting Chief Justice in September 2007.[1]
He was appointed Chief Justice on 1 February 2010, by the Governor Sir Adrian Johns. Dudley is the first Gibraltarian to occupy this position as holder.[2]
He is married and has two daughters.[2]
Controversies
editIn April 2011, under Dudley's guidance, the Supreme Court of Gibraltar ruled that consensual sex (both for heterosexual and male homosexuals) would be considered legal from the age of 16. Previously, gay men were only legally allowed to have sexual intercourse from the age of 18. Also, the Supreme Court declared that criminalisation of consensual anal sex among heterosexuals was unconstitutional. Both decisions were strongly criticised by some sectors of Gibraltarian civil society, particularly by the Gibraltar Women's Association[3] and the Evangelical Alliance. However, the government made it clear that the question still depended on a referendum to be held on an undetermined date.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Acting Chief Justice Appointed". Vox. 20 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ a b "First Gibraltarian Chief Justice appointed". Gibraltar Chronicle. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 24 February 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ "The Gibraltar Women's Association are shocked". 7 Days Gibraltar. Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ Reyes, Brian (9 April 2011). Gibraltar Chronicle (ed.). "Judge Rules: Age of Consent Is 16 For All". Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.