New Solicitor General appointed

Wednesday 26 February 2020

A new Solicitor General has been appointed to succeed Mark Temple QC, as he steps into the role of Attorney General.

Advocate Matthew Jowitt, who qualified as a Jersey Advocate in 2006, will be taking on the role, which involves acting as the most senior legal adviser to the government, and working with the Attorney General in the Law Officers' Department.

The Bailiff's Chambers made the announcement that the Queen had approved the appointment this morning on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice.

Mr Jowitt was educated at Lincoln College, Oxford University, where he read English Literature.

In 1994, he was called to the Bar of England and Wales, practising in England until coming to Jersey in 2006.

During his time in Jersey, Mr Jowitt has acted in several high-profile cases.

He represented Rebekah Le Gal, who was accused of dangerous driving leading to the death of toddler Clinton Pringle, and acted for the prosecution in the case of Russell Stephen King, a serial fraudster who was jailed for pillaging his dead business partner's estate in order to enjoy a luxury lifestyle and then ordered to hand over 'tainted' wealth including watches, jewellery and money totalling over £322,000.

Mr Jowitt said he was "delighted" to be appointed to the role.

He described his new position as a "fantastic opportunity and goal which enables me to continue serving the island."

"I am very much looking forward to embracing the demands of this role and working with the Attorney General and the Law Officers' Department," the new Solicitor General added.