Sir Fielding Clarke (23 February 1851 – 30 July 1928) was a British colonial barrister, civil servant and jurist. He served as Chief Justice of Fiji, Hong Kong and Jamaica.

Sir Fielding Clarke
Sir Fielding Clarke, Chief Justice of Fiji, Hong Kong and Jamaica
6th Attorney General of Fiji
In office
1881–1885
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir William Des Vœux
Preceded byJoseph Garrick
Succeeded byHenry Spencer Berkeley
Acting Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific
In office
1882–1883
MonarchVictoria
High CommissionerSir William Des Vœux
Preceded bySir John Gorrie
Succeeded bySir Henry Wrenfordsley
Acting Chief Justice of Fiji
In office
1882–1883
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir William Des Vœux
Preceded bySir John Gorrie
Succeeded bySir Henry Wrenfordsley
Acting Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific
In office
1884–1884
MonarchVictoria
High CommissionerSir William Des Vœux
Preceded bySir Henry Wrenfordsley
Succeeded byHimself
As substantive Chief Judicial Commissioner
Acting Chief Justice of Fiji
In office
1884–1884
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir William Des Vœux
Preceded bySir Henry Wrenfordsley
Succeeded byHimself
As substantive Chief Justice
3rd Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific
In office
1885–1889
MonarchVictoria
High CommissionerSir John Thurston
(acting)
Sir Charles Mitchell
Sir John Thurston
Preceded byHimself
As acting Chief Judicial Commissioner
Succeeded bySir Henry Spencer Berkeley
5th Chief Justice of Fiji
In office
1885–1889
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir John Thurston(acting)
Sir Charles Mitchell
Sir John Thurston
Preceded byHimself
As acting Chief Justice
Succeeded bySir Henry Spencer Berkeley
6th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong
In office
1892–1896
MonarchVictoria
GovernorSir William Robinson
Preceded bySir James Russell
Succeeded bySir John Carrington
9th Chief Justice of Jamaica
In office
1896–1911
MonarchsVictoria, Edward VII, George V
GovernorSir Henry Norman
Preceded byHenry Burford-Hancock
Succeeded byAnthony Coll
Personal details
Born(1851-02-23)23 February 1851
Died30 July 1928(1928-07-30) (aged 77)
Essex, England
NationalityBritish
SpouseMary (May) Milward Pierce
Alma materUniversity of London
Middle Temple

Early life

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Clarke was the fourth son of Henry Booth Clarke and his wife Isabella. He married in 1888 Mary (May) Milward Pierce, the daughter of Mr Justice Timbrell Pierce D.L.[1]

Education

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Clarke was educated in Switzerland and then returned to England to attend King's College London and London University (LLB). On 12 November 1872 he was admitted to Middle Temple and in 1876 was called to the bar of the Middle Temple.

Career

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After being called to the Bar, Clarke practised on the North Eastern Circuit.

In 1881, he embarked on career as a civil servant and jurist in various British colonies. In that year, he was appointed Attorney General of Fiji in 1881 and served in that position until 1885. He acted as Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner, Western Pacific from 1882 to 1883 and in 1884. In 1885 he was appointed Chief Justice of Fiji & Chief Judicial Commissioner, Western Pacific. He served in that position until 1889.

In 1889, he was appointed Puisne Judge, of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong.

In 1892 he was appointed Chief Justice of Hong Kong succeeding Sir James Russell.

Clarke was knighted in 1894 while Chief Justice of Hong Kong.

In 1896 he was appointed as Chief Justice of Jamaica and served in that position until 1911 when he retired. He moved to Southchurch, Essex and later lived in Stifford, Essex.[2]

In retirement, he was appointed, in 1916, to the Appeal Tribunal for the County of Essex created under the Military Service Act 1916 which introduced conscription.[3]

Death

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Clarke died on 30 July 1928 in Essex, England.[4]

Legal offices
Preceded by Acting
Attorney General of Fiji

1876 — 1882
Succeeded by
Preceded by Acting
Chief Justice of Fiji

1882
Succeeded by
Preceded by Acting
Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific

1882
Succeeded by
Preceded by Acting
Chief Justice of Fiji

1884 — 1885
Succeeded by
Himself
As substantive Chief Justice
Preceded by Acting
Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific

1884 — 1885
Succeeded by
Himself
As substantive Chief Judicial Commissioner
Preceded by
Himself
As acting Chief Justice
Chief Justice of Fiji
1885 — 1889
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Himself
As acting Chief Judicial Commissioner
Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific
1885 — 1889
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Justice of Hong Kong
1892 — 1896
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Justice of Jamaica
1896 — 1911
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ Walford, Edward The County Families of the United Kingdom: or, Royal manual of the titled and untitled aristocracy of Great Britain and Ireland and Daily Gleaner, 15 August 1928, p1.
  2. ^ London Gazette, 10 March 1916, p2559 and 16 May 1924, p3994
  3. ^ London Gazette, 10 March 1916, pp2558 to 2559
  4. ^ The Daily Gleaner, 15 August 1928, p1