Thomas Herbert Kershaw Explained

Thomas Herbert Kershaw
Honorific Suffix:CMG CB
Birth Date:1851
Death Date:9 December 1913 (Aged 61)
Nationality:British
Occupation:Lawyer
Years Active:1879-1902
Known For:Legal reform in the Federated Malay States

Thomas Herbert Kershaw CMG CB (1851 – 9 December 1913) was a British barrister who acted as the Attorney General of the Straits Settlements, and was appointed as the first Legal Adviser of the newly formed Federated Malay States, at the end of the nineteenth century.

Early life and education

Thomas Herbert Kershaw was born in 1851, son of Rev T. A. Kershaw. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and after graduating was admitted to the Inner Temple as a barrister-at-law in 1876.[1]

Career

In 1879, Kershaw was enrolled as a member of the local bar in Penang, and practised there as a solicitor and advocate for eight years.[2] [3]

In 1887, Kershaw went to Singapore to take up the appointment of Registrar of Deeds, Straits Settlements,[4] and the following year was appointed magistrate.[5] In 1890, he was appointed Official Assignee, and in 1894, was sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council.[6] [7]

In 1896, Kershaw left Singapore and went to Selangor to take up the appointment as the first Legal Adviser to the newly formed Federated Malay States.[8] Whilst in office he carried out pioneer work in reforming the antiquated legal systems operating in the four Protected States where diverse customs and practices were applied. He introduced many enactments, reformed the laws, including a new Civil Code, created new courts, and succeeded in establishing uniformity in administration amongst the states of the newly formed Federation.[9] [10] On several occasions he was appointed Acting Attorney General of the Straits Settlements in the absence of William Collyer including 1901–02 when he went on leave for a year.[11] In 1902, he retired to England.

Honours

In 1903, Kershaw was awarded the Companionship of the Order of St Michael and St George,[12] [13] and in the same year, the Companion of the Order of the Bath.[14]

Death

Kershaw died on 9 December 1913.[15]

Notes and References

  1. News: 17 April 1902 . Mr. Kershaw to Ceylon. . The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly) . 2.
  2. News: 1 October 1879 . Local. . Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle . 4.
  3. News: 30 January 1882 . In the Supreme Court of the Settlement of Penang . Singapore Daily Times . 3.
  4. News: 20 May 1887 . Local and general. . Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle . 5.
  5. News: 28 July 1888 . Government Gazette . The Malacca Weekly Chronicle and Mercantile Advertiser . 2.
  6. News: 27 February 1914 . M.A.P. . The Straits Echo (Mail Edition) . 252.
  7. News: 6 November 1894 . The Legislative Council. . The Straits Budget . 8.
  8. News: 9 June 1896 . Friday, 5th June. . The Straits Budget . 7.
  9. News: 12 May 1904 . The Native States Judicature. . The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly) . 291.
  10. News: 23 November 1920 . Bygone Perak . The Straits Times . 10.
  11. News: 18 March 1901 . "Gazette" Notifications. . Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle . 2.
  12. News: 12 November 1903 . Reuter's Telegrams . The Straits Budget . 1.
  13. Web site: Page 6851 Supplement 27613, 6 November 1903 London Gazette The Gazette . 2024-03-07 . www.thegazette.co.uk.
  14. News: 3 December 1903 . Our Mail Budget. . Straits Echo . 4.
  15. News: 15 December 1913 . Deaths . Times . 1.