Denys Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honourable Dato Seri Paduka
Sir Denys Roberts
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| 20th Chief Justice of Hong Kong | |
| In office 1979–1988 |
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| Preceded by | Geoffrey Briggs |
| Succeeded by | Ti-liang Yang |
| 25th Chief Secretary of Hong Kong (Colonial Secretary 1973–76) |
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| In office 30 September 1973 – 2 October 1978 |
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| Governor | Murray MacLehose |
| Preceded by | Hugh Norman-Walker |
| Succeeded by | Jack Cater |
| 18th Attorney General of Hong Kong | |
| In office 3 September 1966 – 29 September 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Maurice Heenan |
| Succeeded by | John William Dixon Hobley |
| 2nd Chief Justice of Brunei | |
| In office 1979–2001 |
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| Nominated by | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Briggs |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Saied |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 January 1923 London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 20 May 2013 (aged 90) Norfolk, United Kingdom |
| Spouses |
Brenda Marsh
(m. 1949; div. 1973)Anna Fiona Dollar Alexander
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Wadham College, Oxford (MA; BCL) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Sir Denys Tudor Emil Roberts (born January 19, 1923 – died May 20, 2013) was an important British official and judge. He worked in different parts of the British Empire, including Malawi (then Nyasaland), Gibraltar, and Hong Kong. He held many high-ranking positions, like being the top lawyer (Attorney-General) and a very senior government official (Colonial Secretary/Chief Secretary). Later, he became the most important judge in Hong Kong, the Chief Justice. He was the last non-Chinese person to hold this top judge role in Hong Kong. After retiring, he continued to serve as a judge in places like Bermuda and Brunei.
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Early Life and Learning
Denys Roberts was born in London, England, on January 19, 1923. His father was a lawyer. Denys went to Aldenham School and later studied law at Wadham College, Oxford.
His studies were paused when he joined the army in 1943. He became a captain in the Royal Artillery. During World War II, he served in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. After the war ended in 1945, he was sent to India.
In 1946, Roberts left the army and went back to Oxford. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1948 and a Bachelor of Civil Law degree in 1949. He was also honored by Wadham College in 1984. He enjoyed cricket and played for Hertfordshire in 1948.
Working in the Colonies
After finishing his law studies, Roberts became a lawyer in London in 1950. In 1953, he joined the British colonial service. This meant he worked for the British government in different parts of the world that were then colonies. His first role was as a Crown Counsel (a government lawyer) in Nyasaland, which is now Malawi.
In 1960, he was promoted to Attorney-General of Gibraltar. This made him the chief legal advisor for the government there. He also became a special member of Gibraltar's governing councils. He received an award, the Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and was named a Queen's Counsel (a senior lawyer).
Roberts worked in Gibraltar for two years. In 1962, he moved to Hong Kong to become the Solicitor General. This was another senior legal role. In 1964, he became a Queen's Counsel in Hong Kong too.
In 1966, the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir David Trench, made Roberts the Attorney-General. This meant he was the top government lawyer in Hong Kong. He also became a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, which helped run Hong Kong. In 1970, he received another award, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
In 1973, Governor Sir Murray MacLehose appointed Roberts as the Colonial Secretary. This was a very important job, like being the chief operating officer for the government. He was the first and only Attorney-General in Hong Kong's history to become Colonial Secretary. In 1976, the title changed to Chief Secretary, and he continued in that role.
As Colonial Secretary and Chief Secretary, Roberts helped Governor MacLehose with many big plans. These included changes to how the government worked and building new homes. He also worked to improve trade with other countries, visiting places like the United States. In 1975, he was knighted and became Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his public service. He also led an investigation into an issue at a school in 1979. Roberts sometimes acted as Governor when the real Governor was away.
In 1979, Roberts was appointed Chief Justice of Hong Kong. This was a big surprise because he had never been a judge before. He was also the first and only Chief Secretary to become Chief Justice. The government said his experience as a top lawyer made him suitable for the job.
Besides his role in Hong Kong, Roberts also served as Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam from 1979 to 2001. In 1984, the royal family of Brunei gave him the title of Dato. As Chief Justice of Hong Kong, he visited mainland China twice. He was the first Chief Justice to visit the People's Republic of China in 1983. He visited again in 1985 with other Hong Kong judges. He also saw the opening of the new Supreme Court Building in Hong Kong in 1984.
Sir Denys Roberts was the last non-Chinese person to be the Chief Justice of Hong Kong. When he retired in 1988, Sir Ti-liang Yang became the first Chinese Chief Justice. After retiring from Hong Kong, Roberts continued to serve as Chief Justice of Brunei until 2001. He also became President of the Court of Appeal of Bermuda from 1988 to 1994. From 1997 to 2003, he was a non-permanent judge for Hong Kong's highest court, the Court of Final Appeal.
Family Life
Roberts married Brenda Marsh in 1949. They had a son and a daughter. Their marriage ended in 1973. In 1985, he married Anna Fiona Dollar Alexander, and they had a son.
Roberts loved cricket. He was even president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from 1989 to 1990. He also wrote books and stories about law and life in the colonies. In 2006, he published his own story, called Another Disaster, where he shared his experiences.
Later Years
Sir Denys Roberts lived in retirement in Norfolk, England. He spent his time writing.
He passed away on May 20, 2013, at the age of 90. A special service was held for him in London. David Wilson, who was the Governor of Hong Kong when Roberts was Chief Justice, spoke at the service.
Honours and Awards
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1960)
- Queen's Counsel (Gibraltar, 1960)
- Queen's Counsel (Hong Kong, 1964)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1970)
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1975)
- Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei, First Class (Brunei Darussalam, 1984)
- Official Justice of the Peace (Hong Kong)
Special Recognition
- Wadham College, Oxford (1984)
Legacy
The Sir Denys Roberts Squash Courts (羅弼時爵士壁球場) in Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, are named in his honor.
See also
- Politics of Gibraltar
- Attorney-General
- Colonial Secretary
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong
