Elliot Bovill, Chief Justice of Cyprus and the Straits Settlements
Sir Elliot Charles Bovill (23 April 1848[1] – 24 March 1893) was a British lawyer and judge. He served as Chief Justice of Cyprus and the Straits Settlements in the late 19th century.
Bovill was born in Clapham, at that time in Surrey, the fourth son of William Bovill, often confused with William John Bovill QC of Lincoln's Inn, and his wife, Lavinia Ann I'Anson, daughter of architect Edward I'Anson.[2][3] He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, graduating from the latter with honours in 1871. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1873.[4][5][6]
Bovill was appointed assistant Judicial CommissionerinCyprus in 1875 soon after its cessation from TurkeytoBritain. He was legal adviser to the government (the predecessor position to King's Advocate) from 1877 to 1881. He was appointed Judicial Commissioner in 1881 and Chief Justice in 1883 on creation of that position. He was knighted the following year, in 1884.[8]
In 1890, it was reported that he was to be appointed Chief Justice of Western Australia.[8] He declined the appointment. Instead, in 1892, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements on the departure of Edward Loughlin O'Malley. He first sat as Chief Justice in October 1892. His family made up of his wife and two boys and a daughter remained in Cyprus, planning to join him in Singapore later.
Death
[edit]Gravestones in Fort Canning Green, Singapore. Bovill's gravestone is in front on the right.Bovill's gravestone
