Vernon Tomes
Encyclopedia
Mr Vernon Amy Tomes was Deputy Bailiff
of Jersey
in the Channel Islands
from 1986 to 1992.
, Jersey the son of Wilfred James Tomes, a former Connétable
of the parish
, and Florence Annie Amy. He was educated at St John's Elementary School and (on a States of Jersey scholarship) at Victoria College, Jersey
.
as Deputy for St Helier No. 2 District in 1960 and served until 1969 presiding over several committees. In 1969 he was appointed HM Solicitor General and was HM Attorney General between 1975 and 1985.
He was appointed as Deputy Bailiff in 1986 and served in the post until he was removed from office in 1992, at the request of the Bailiff Sir Peter Crill
, by the United Kingdom's Home Secretary
Kenneth Clarke
following complaints that Tomes was slow in producing written judgments. On 1 July 1992, 1,000 people demonstrated in St Helier in his support.
In the 1993 elections
, Tomes topped the poll to became a Senator.
Bailiff (Channel Islands)
The Bailiff is the chief justice in each of the Channel Island bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, also serving as president of the legislature and having ceremonial and executive functions. Each bailiwick has possessed its own bailiff since the islands were divided into two jurisdictions in the...
of Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
in the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
from 1986 to 1992.
Early years
Tomes was born in St JohnSaint John, Jersey
Saint John is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey in the Channel Islands.-Geography:Saint John is in the north of Jersey and borders St Mary on its west, Trinity to the east, and St Lawrence and Saint Helier on its south....
, Jersey the son of Wilfred James Tomes, a former Connétable
Connétable
Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...
of the parish
Parishes of Jersey
The Channel Island of Jersey is divided into twelve administrative districts or parishes. All have access to the sea and are named after the saints to whom their ancient parish churches are dedicated.:* Saint Helier...
, and Florence Annie Amy. He was educated at St John's Elementary School and (on a States of Jersey scholarship) at Victoria College, Jersey
Victoria College, Jersey
Victoria College is a fee paying States of Jersey-provided school in membership of the HMC, in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. The castellated neo-gothic architecture is a landmark overlooking the town.-History:In the 1590s, Laurens Baudains - a wealthy farmer from St...
.
Career
In 1951, Tomes qualified as a solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey. He was elected to the States of JerseyStates of Jersey
The States of Jersey is the parliament and government of Jersey.The Assembly of the States of Jersey has exercised legislative powers since 1771, when law-making power was transferred from the Royal Court of Jersey....
as Deputy for St Helier No. 2 District in 1960 and served until 1969 presiding over several committees. In 1969 he was appointed HM Solicitor General and was HM Attorney General between 1975 and 1985.
He was appointed as Deputy Bailiff in 1986 and served in the post until he was removed from office in 1992, at the request of the Bailiff Sir Peter Crill
Peter Crill
Sir Peter Leslie Crill KBE was Bailiff of Jersey from 1986 to 1995.- Early years :Crill attended Victoria College, Jersey between 1932 and 1943...
, by the United Kingdom's Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke, QC, MP is a British Conservative politician, currently Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He was first elected to Parliament in 1970; and appointed a minister in Edward Heath's government, in 1972, and is one of...
following complaints that Tomes was slow in producing written judgments. On 1 July 1992, 1,000 people demonstrated in St Helier in his support.
In the 1993 elections
Jersey general election, 1993
Elections were held in 1993 for both Senators and Deputies to the States of Jersey.-Senator Elections:*Vernon Tomes 16,392 votes*Stuart Syvret 14,388 votes*John Rothwell 9,586 votes*Anne Bailhache 9,020 votes...
, Tomes topped the poll to became a Senator.