Former Jurat’s memory honoured in Court

Monday 04 February 2019

Jersey's Deputy Bailiff has led tributes to a former Jurat who passed away last week aged 99.

Tim Le Cocq QC honoured Jurat Donald Edward Le Boutillier’s memory during Friday’s Royal Court session in a short speech.

The former Jurat died on 26 January, aged 99, and there will be a funeral service for him this Friday at 12:00 in the Town Church.

The Jerseyman was educated at La Moye School before attending Victoria College. After school, Mr Le Boutillier joined law firm Le Gallais and Luce until he volunteered for the army in 1940 where he served for six-and-a-half years.

His grandson, Solicitor Martin Le Boutillier, told Express that Mr Le Boutillier first joined the Royal Army Service Corps 15th Scottish Division and was later commissioned in France ten days after D-Day, where he and his regiment fought through Europe to Holland. By the time his battalion was decommissioned in 1946, Mr Le Boutillier held the rank of Captain, whereupon he returned to Jersey and to work at the local law firm when he qualified as a Solicitor in 1948.

Pictured: The former army Captain and Jurat was remembered during an announcement at the Royal Court last week. (Martin Le Boutillier)

Mr Le Boutillier was elected as a Jurat in 1983 and served in the role until 1991. 

The Deputy Bailiff paid tribute to the late Jurat’s “strong element of service to others and to the community”. He told of Mr Le Boutillier’s appointment as Crown Solicitor in 1959 – a role which he served in for 12 years.

The Court heard of Mr Le Boutillier serving as Treasurer of the Law Society, as well as being elected President of the Society in 1980, Clerk to the Commissioner of Income Tax Appeals as well as being “committed to his church." The former Jurat was Churchwarden of St. Luke's Church from 1959 to 1965.

Remarking on the “high level of commitment in both time and energy” that the role of Jurat requires, the Deputy Bailiff said that “it is only right that we acknowledge him and mark his memory in Court".

Pictured: Jurat Le Boutillier held the court role for eight years.

Mr Le Boutillier leaves behind his wife of 77 years, Dorothy, as well as three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. According to Martin, his grandfather "was an avid gardener and a keen tennis player."

The family have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr Le Boutillier’s memory to the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association.