Bailiff in tribute to jurat who is stepping down
THE Royal Court said goodbye to Jurat David Hodgetts after he had served in the role for more than nine years, but at the same sitting it welcomed him to the role of jure-justicier suppleant, which he will hold for the next three years.
The Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, gave one of two tributes to Jurat Hodgetts, who had also served as a Lieutenant Bailiff.
The ceremony took place in the presence of judges and jurats past and present, members of the Guernsey Bar and former Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland, who sat in a packed public gallery.
Sir Richard said he and Jurat Hodgetts had first crossed paths when Sir Richard was a new boy in the Elizabeth College Upper School and Jurat Hodgetts was a prefect with a reputation for being a strict enforcer of the rules but nonetheless fair.
Those qualities doubtless served him well during his subsequent 12 years in the Army and the Royal Court had witnessed the same thing in his approach to justice.
Jurat Hodgetts also served as secretary to the Lt-Governor for 18 years and in more recent years he has become well known as a charitable fundraiser in such ventures as the Maison Million campaign, which raised £1m. for Maison de Quetteville, as well as assisting in the restoration of Hauteville House.
He had been involved as a volunteer with St John Ambulance for half a century and was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John, where he continued to serve as well as continuing to serve the Freemasonry movement. He also paid tribute to Jurat Hodgetts’ wife, Christina, and said it was important for the jurats to have the support of their spouse.
‘In conclusion, as a Lieutenant-Bailiff and as a jurat you have given distinguished, exemplary service for which you have earned the respect and appreciation of us all,’ Sir Richard concluded, thanking him and wishing him and his wife good health for the future.
Procureur Megan Pullum thanked Jurat Hodgetts for his service on behalf of the Guernsey Bar, after which Jurat Hodgetts himself spoke and thanked several jurats for their help and encouragement.
‘Becoming a jurat is one of the best things I have ever done. Clearly, after marrying Christina,’ he said, thanking her for her ‘amazing support’ throughout his career, as well as that of their two sons: ‘I have been extremely fortunate to have such a supportive family.’
After the speeches, Jurat Terry Ferbrache took the oath of office as a Lieutenant Bailiff.
Other officials were also sworn in – Nichola Hutchinson as HM deputy greffier and Miles Bougourd and Michael Bougourd took the oath as new deputy sheriffs.
