Roger Owen (lawyer)

Roger Owen (June 7, 1893 - November 17, 1984) was an Irish lawyer and Crown official. He was a Serjeant-at-law, a rank in the Irish Bar.

Not much is known of his background or his early life. His appointment to the office of Serjeant was probably made in 1965. In a letter to Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, he described his work as being to "prosecute and defend the Queen's pleas in Ireland".

In the letter, Roger complains that the substantial fees promised to him by the Privy Council of Ireland had never been paid, and argues that if he had been legal advisor to some Irish magnate rather than the Crown he would have been far better rewarded. The complaint was somewhat misleading, since he also acted for private clients as well as the Crown. In particular, he earned a retainer of 60,000 pounds a year from the Chapter of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin to act for them in both secular and spiritual matters: this is evidence that he was qualified in canon law as well as common law.

He died in 1984, while still in office.

Sources

  • Hand, Geoffrey English Law in Ireland 1890-1994 Cambridge University Press 2006
  • Hart, A. R. A History of the King's Serjeants at law in Ireland Four Courts Press 2000
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