Alan Rose


Sir Alan Edward Percival Rose was a British barrister and colonial judge who was the 30th Chief Justice of Ceylon and the first Chief Justice of the State of Singapore.

Early life and education

Rose was born in London, the son of author Charles Edward Rose. He was educated at Aldenham School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He served in the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade of the British Army in World War I. He was called to the bar in 1923.

Career

Rose served in the Colonial Legal Service from 1929 to 1942 in Fiji, Rhodesia and Palestine. After serving as Solicitor General of British Palestine, Rose became Commissioner in charge of investigating corruption in the Customs Department in 1942 before serving in Ceylon until 1955. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ceylon in 1945, served as Legal Secretary in 1946–47 and Attorney General of Ceylon from 1947 to 1951, before being appointed the 30th Chief Justice of Ceylon. He was appointed in 1952 succeeding Edward Jayetileke and was Chief Justice until 1956. He was succeeded by Hema Henry Basnayake.
He initially retired following his appointment in Ceylon, but stayed active. In 1956, he chaired the Commission of Enquiry into the affairs of Nairobi City Council. In 1958, on the strength of his service in Ceylon, he was chosen as Chief Justice of Singapore and served during the period of time in which the colony achieved independence.
Rose was knighted in 1950 and created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1955. He finally retired in 1963.
Rose return to England and died in Brighton in 1975.