LETTER, SEPTIMUS BURT, QUEEN'S COUNSEL APPOINTMENT

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Bramston, John

1887

Overview

Letter dated 30 April 1887 from John Bramston, Downing Street, London, advising that a warrant was going to be issued to the Governor of Western Australia for Septimus Burt to be appointed as Queen's Counsel.
Handwritten letter on the front page of a single sheet of white paper folded in half vertically. Signature and part of the date is written in different ink, presumably at a different time to when the text of the letter was completed.

Historical information

The Queen's Counsel appointment meant that Burt was deemed to represent Queen Victoria in Western Australian courts and that he couldn't accept a case to appear against the Crown unless special permission was granted. The appointment was a mark of distinction which also granted seniority status over ordinary barristers.
John Bramston, the author of this letter, was Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1876-1902.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-1976.60

Item type

Documents

Material

Ink

Paper

Width

205 mm

Height or length

330 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Signed John Bramston

Contextual information

This correspondence refers to the appointment of Septimus Burt as Queen's Council in Western Australia. The appointment recognised Burt's abilities as a senior member of the legal community in the colony and carried with it some prestige both locally and overseas. The letter is complete and in original condition and along with associated documentation is of historical interest documenting the advancement of Burt's career and his increasing influence on the public affairs of Western Australia. The letter is also representative of the adherence to English legal traditions in Western Australia.

Keywords

Burt, Septimus

Bramston, John

Queen's Counsel

Place made

London, Middlesex, United Kingdom

Year

1887

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Comparative significance criteria