Charles Gomez
Encyclopedia
Charles A. Gomez LL.B.
(Hons
) of counsel
is a Gibraltarian
lawyer
and one time politician
, and founder of the right of centre New Gibraltar Democracy
(NGD) Party. He was born in Gibraltar
on 23 April 1959 and was called to the Bars of England, Wales
and Gibraltar
in 1982.
, Derek Schofield
, in proceedings for the removal of Gibraltar's senior judge heard by the Judicial Committee
of the Privy Council
in London
which resulted in a 4/3 split of that court in a decision handed down on 12 November 2009. The decision is considered to be a major precedent in the field of judicial independence in the United Kingdom
and the Commonwealth
.
Gomez was a prominent member and spokesman of the "No vote" campaign for the 2006 constitutional referendum on Gibraltar's current Constitution
. He currently concentrates on his career as a barrister
.
having organised Royal Yachting Association
and Union Internationale Motonautique
events in Gibraltar.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(Hons
Honour
Honour or honor is an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or corporate body such as a family, school, regiment or nation...
) of counsel
Of counsel
Of counsel is often the title of an attorney who is employed by a law firm or an organization, but is not an associate or a partner. Some firms use titles like "counsel," "special counsel," and "senior counsel" for the same concept...
is a Gibraltarian
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and one time politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and founder of the right of centre New Gibraltar Democracy
New Gibraltar Democracy
New Gibraltar Democracy is a political party from Gibraltar founded in 2005 by Gibraltarian barrister Charles Gomez.-Overview:New Gibraltar Democracy is a Christian democratic party...
(NGD) Party. He was born in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
on 23 April 1959 and was called to the Bars of England, Wales
Barristers in England and Wales
Barristers in England and Wales are one of the two main categories of lawyer in England and Wales, the other being solicitors. -Origin of the profession:The work of senior legal professionals in England and Wales...
and Gibraltar
Law of Gibraltar
The law of Gibraltar is a combination of common law and statute, and is based heavily upon English law.The English Law Act of 1962 stipulates that English common law will apply to Gibraltar unless overridden by Gibraltar law...
in 1982.
Career
He was retained by the suspended Chief Justice of GibraltarChief Justice of Gibraltar
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar is one of the two judges who make up the supreme court of Gibraltar. Previously the Chief Justice was appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar on the advice of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office...
, Derek Schofield
Derek Schofield
The Hon Mr Justice Derek Schofield, born 1945, commenced his legal career in 1961 when he was appointed assistant in the office of the clerk of the court in Lancashire...
, in proceedings for the removal of Gibraltar's senior judge heard by the Judicial Committee
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom. Established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833 to hear appeals formerly heard by the King in Council The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is one of the highest courts in the United...
of the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
which resulted in a 4/3 split of that court in a decision handed down on 12 November 2009. The decision is considered to be a major precedent in the field of judicial independence in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
.
Gomez was a prominent member and spokesman of the "No vote" campaign for the 2006 constitutional referendum on Gibraltar's current Constitution
Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
The Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 was taken to a referendum in Gibraltar on 30 November 2006. A coalition of groups opposing the proposal held that a majority of 60% should be required to give effect to a new Constitution, quoting other instances...
. He currently concentrates on his career as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
.
Other work
For several years in the 1990s he wrote a weekly piece in the newsweekly "Vox" and was at one time heavily involved in powerboat racingPowerboating
Power boating describes activities performed in a motorized boat. Generally, a power boat has a high power-to-weight ratio and a hull design that allows for easy planing, which allows for higher speed and improved handling. Also, the shape of the actual boat is usually very streamlined, which...
having organised Royal Yachting Association
Royal Yachting Association
The Royal Yachting Association is the national governing body for certain watersports in the United Kingdom. Activities it covers include:* Sailing* Windsurfing* Motor cruising* Sportsboats* Personal watercraft* Powerboat racing...
and Union Internationale Motonautique
Union Internationale Motonautique
The Union Internationale Motonautique is the international governing body of powerboating, based in the Principality of Monaco. It was founded in 1922, in Belgium, as the Union Internationale du Yachting Automobile....
events in Gibraltar.