Richard Collas

Sir Richard Collas was born in 1953 in Guernsey where, after studying engineering and accountancy, he moved to law in which he practised for a number of years before moving into the civic duty of Deputy Bailiff. He has held the office of the Bailiff of Guernsey from 2012 until 2020. He was succeeded by Richard McMahon.

Richard Collas (right) attending the Queen's birthday parade 2016 in St. Peter Port, Guernsey

Early life

Born in 1953, he was educated at Elizabeth College (Guernsey), before he went on to study Engineering Science at Jesus College, Oxford.[1]

Career

He joined Lever Brothers Limited before completed the exams for the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants then, in 1980, changed to Law as a profession.[1]

Called to the English Bar at Gray's Inn in 1982 he returned to Guernsey to attend the University of Caen Normandy for the necessary Certificat d’Études Juridtiques Françaises et Normandes and the following year was admitted as a Royal Court Advocate.[1] Joining his father's firm of Collas Day & Rowland, Advocates, he became a partner and continued to practise there until 2005.[1]

Collas was appointed to the office of Deputy Bailiff 2005–2012.[1] In March 2012 he was sworn in and became the 89th Bailiff of Guernsey, taking over the position of Bailiff from Sir Geoffrey Rowland.[2]

The Bailiff of Guernsey is ex-officio President of the Guernsey Court of Appeal. He has been a member of the Court of Appeal of Jersey since 2012.

Collas was awarded a knighthood in June 2014,[3] receiving his knighthood as a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire at an investiture in Buckingham Palace the following November.[4][5]

He became an Honorary Master of the Bench of The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn in 2015.[6]

The Bailiff would normally retire at the age of 65; however, Her Majesty has granted a two-year extension of the date to May 2020.[7]

Family

Sir Richard has three children, Jonathan, Oliver and Lydia.

See also

• Courts of Guernsey
• List of Bailiffs of Guernsey

References

1. "THE BAILIFF OF GUERNSEY SIR RICHARD JOHN COLLAS". Guernsey Royal Court.
2. "Guernsey's Richard Collas appointed next Bailiff". BBC. 23 March 2012.
3. "Guernsey Bailiff Richard Collas awarded knighthood". BBC. 14 June 2016.
4. "Bailiff at the palace to receive knighthood". Guernsey Press. 27 November 2014.
5. "No. 61320". The London Gazette. 11 August 2015. p. 14934.
6. "New Honorary Benchers". Gray’s Inn. 14 October 2015.
7. "The Queen grants Bailiff a two-year extension in role". Guernsey Press. 9 February 2017.