Paul Ivy Sterling facts for kids

Paul Ivy Sterling was an important British lawyer and judge. He was the very first Attorney General of Hong Kong. He also served as a judge in a country called Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka).

Early Life and Education

Paul was the oldest son of Reverend Joseph Sterling. His family lived in Queen's County, Ireland.

He studied at Trinity College, Dublin in Ireland. He also trained to be a lawyer at King's Inn in Dublin and Gray's Inn in London. He officially became a lawyer in Ireland in 1829.

Important Legal Roles

In 1844, Paul Sterling became the first-ever Attorney General of Hong Kong. This job meant he was the main legal advisor to the government. He arrived in Hong Kong with his family on a ship called the Surge on July 28, 1844. He also joined the Executive Council, which was a group of important advisors to the government.

Sterling was one of the first three lawyers allowed to work in the Hong Kong courts. On October 1, 1844, when the Supreme Court of Hong Kong first opened, he was officially allowed to practice law there.

He sometimes filled in as the Chief Justice of Hong Kong when the main Chief Justice, John Walter Hulme, was away. One important case he decided in 1852 was later supported by the Privy Council in 1853.

Sterling worked as Attorney General until 1855. After that, he was appointed as a Puisne Judge (a regular judge) in Ceylon.

In 1860, he became the acting Chief Justice of Ceylon after Sir Carpenter Crowe passed away. When he left Ceylon for a break in 1861, a newspaper called Allens Indian Mail described him. They said he was a careful and respected judge, even if he wasn't the most brilliant lawyer. They also said he was a good person in all parts of his life.

Retirement and Passing

Sterling retired from his work in 1863 and received a pension.

He passed away on August 23, 1880, in Southsea, Hampshire.