The government of the Isle of Man is a parliamentary representative democracy. The Monarch of the United Kingdom is also the head of state of the Isle of Man, and generally referred to as "The King, Lord of Mann". Legislation of the Isle of Man defines "the Crown in right of the Isle of Man" as separate from the "Crown in right of the United Kingdom". His representative on the island is the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, but his role is mostly ceremonial, though he does have the power to grant Royal Assent.
The Legislative Council is the upper chamber of Tynwald, the legislature of the Isle of Man. The abbreviation "LegCo" is often used.
Illiam Dhone or Illiam Dhôan, also known as William Christian, was a Manx politician and depending on viewpoint, patriot, rebel or traitor. He was a son of Ewan Christian, a deemster. In Manx, Illiam Dhone literally translates to Brown William—an epithet he received due to his dark hair—and in English he was called Brown-haired William. Dhone was a significant figure in the Isle of Man during the English Civil War and the Manx Rebellion of 1651. He was executed for high treason in 1663. In the centuries after his death he has become a "martyr and folk-hero, a symbol of the Island's cherished freedoms and traditional rights".
A Deemster is a judge in the Isle of Man. The High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man is presided over by a deemster or, in the case of the appeal division of that court, a deemster and the Judge of Appeal. The deemsters also promulgate the Laws on Tynwald Day by reading out brief summaries of them in English and Manx.
The lowest courts in the Isle of Man are the summary courts, Coroner of Inquests, Licensing Court, Land Court, etc. These courts are presided over by magistrates. There are two stipendiary magistrates, the High Bailiff and the Deputy High Bailiff, along with lay justices of the peace.
David Doyle is a Judge of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, Financial Services Division. He was, until 31 July 2018, the First Deemster, Clerk of the Rolls and Deputy Governor of the Isle of Man. He was appointed in 2010 and was formerly a partner of Dickinson Cruickshank & Co from 1985 onwards. He was called to the Bar in 1982 and the Manx Bar in 1984.
The Staff of Government Division of the High Court of Justice is the Court of Appeal in the Isle of Man. It hears all appeals, both criminal and civil, from the High Court. It is the second highest court in the Isle of Man with final appeal going to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council acting as 'The Queen in Council'.
Andrew Williamson was the Deputy Deemster of the Isle of Man. Andrew Williamson was born in Douglas in December 1946 and brought up in Kirk Michael. He was educated at Michael School and then his local Secondary school, Ramsey Grammar School, before leaving the island to study law at Nottingham Regional College of Technology. He then joined the Middle Temple and was subsequently called to the bar.
Henry Callow was a former Second Deemster in the Isle of Man.
Arthur Christian Luft was a Manx judge, a former First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls and a Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.
The High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man is governed by the High Court Act 1991. There are four permanent judges of the High Court:
Thomas Kneen was His Majesty's Clerk of the Rolls for the Isle of Man, a Member of the House of Keys for Glenfaba, and Captain of the Parish of Onchan.
Sir William Leece Drinkwater was a First Deemster of the Isle of Man.
Andrew Thomas Kaneen Corlett is the current First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls of the Isle of Man who served as Second Deemster from 2011 to 2018, having previously held the title of Deputy Deemster from 2007. His appointment as First Deemster & Clerk of the Rolls was announced on 10 July 2018.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Isle of Man:
The Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man is the Lord of Mann's official personal representative in the Isle of Man. He has the power to grant royal assent and is styled "His Excellency".
Thomas William Cain was a First Deemster of the Isle of Man.
John William Corrin was a First Deemster of the Isle of Man.
Sir James Gell, CVO, QC was a Manx lawyer, who was the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in the Isle of Man. He was also the first Manxman to become Attorney General of the Isle of Man.
Stewart Stevenson Moore QC was a Manx lawyer, who was the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls on the Isle of Man.
