Thomas Herbert Kershaw CMG CB (1851 – 9 December 1913) was a British barrister who acted as the Attorney General of the Straits Settlements, and was appointed as the first Legal Adviser of the newly formed Federated Malay States, at the end of the nineteenth century.
Thomas Herbert Kershaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1851 |
| Died | 9 December 1913 (Aged 61) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Years active | 1879-1902 |
| Known for | Legal reform in the Federated Malay States |
Early life and education
editThomas Herbert Kershaw was born in 1851, son of Rev T. A. Kershaw. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and after graduating was admitted to the Inner Temple as a barrister-at-law in 1876.[1]
Career
editIn 1879, Kershaw was enrolled as a member of the local bar in Penang, and practised there as a solicitor and advocate for eight years.[2][3]
In 1887, Kershaw went to Singapore to take up the appointment of Registrar of Deeds, Straits Settlements,[4] and the following year was appointed magistrate.[5] In 1890, he was appointed Official Assignee,[1] and in 1894, was sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council.[6][7]
In 1896, Kershaw left Singapore and went to Selangor to take up the appointment as the first Legal Adviser to the newly formed Federated Malay States.[8] Whilst in office he carried out pioneer work in reforming the antiquated legal systems operating in the four Protected States where diverse customs and practices were applied. He introduced many enactments, reformed the laws, including a new Civil Code, created new courts, and succeeded in establishing uniformity in administration amongst the states of the newly formed Federation.[9][10] On several occasions he was appointed Acting Attorney General of the Straits Settlements in the absence of William Collyer including 1901–02 when he went on leave for a year.[11] In 1902, he retired to England.[12]
Honours
editIn 1903, Kershaw was awarded the Companionship of the Order of St Michael and St George,[12][13] and in the same year, the Companion of the Order of the Bath.[6][14]
Death
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Mr. Kershaw to Ceylon". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). 17 April 1902. p. 2.
- ^ "Local". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 1 October 1879. p. 4.
- ^ "In the Supreme Court of the Settlement of Penang". Singapore Daily Times. 30 January 1882. p. 3.
- ^ "Local and general". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 20 May 1887. p. 5.
- ^ "Government Gazette". The Malacca Weekly Chronicle and Mercantile Advertiser. 28 July 1888. p. 2.
- ^ a b c "M.A.P." The Straits Echo (Mail Edition). 27 February 1914. p. 252.
- ^ "The Legislative Council". The Straits Budget. 6 November 1894. p. 8.
- ^ "Friday, 5th June". The Straits Budget. 9 June 1896. p. 7.
- ^ "The Native States Judicature". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). 12 May 1904. p. 291.
- ^ "Bygone Perak". The Straits Times. 23 November 1920. p. 10.
- ^ ""Gazette" Notifications". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 18 March 1901. p. 2.
- ^ a b "Reuter's Telegrams". The Straits Budget. 12 November 1903. p. 1.
- ^ "Page 6851 | Supplement 27613, 6 November 1903 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Our Mail Budget". Straits Echo. 3 December 1903. p. 4.
- ^ "Deaths". Times. 15 December 1913. p. 1.