It has been announced that the next Bailiff of Jersey will be Michael Cameron St John Birt. His appointment was approved by the Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice.

Mr Birt, 60, who is currently the Deputy Bailiff will take over his post from the current Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache in July 2009.

The Bailiff of Jersey has three main official duties. He presides over the Royal Court in Jersey and is President of the island’s Court of Appeal. The Bailiff of Jersey is the President of the States of Jersey (the island’s legislature) in which rôle he determines procedure, and acts in the same capacity as the Speaker of a Parliament.

Mr Birt was born in England and moved to Jersey with his parents when he was three years old. He was educated at St Michael’s Preparatory School, St Saviour in Jersey, at Marlborough College and at Magdalen College, Cambridge where he gained his law degree.

Mr Birt was called to the English Bar in 1970 and practised as a Barrister in London Chambers until 1975. In 1976 he returned to Jersey and entered Private Practice. He qualified as an Advocate in Jersey in 1977 and was appointed Crown Advocate in 1987. In 1994 he was appointed to the office of Attorney General of Jersey, and QC in 1995. In February 2000 he was appointed as Deputy Bailiff of Jersey.