John Robert Innes

John Robert Innes CMG (4 September 1863 – 1 October 1948) was a British barrister, colonial judge and administrative service officer in British Malaya.

John Robert Innes CMG
Acting Chief Judicial Commissioner of the Federated Malay States
In office 1917–1919
Preceded by	Sir Thomas de Multon Lee Braddell
Succeeded by	Sir G. Aubrey Goodman
Personal details
Born	4 September 1863
Died	1 October 1948 (aged 85)
Nationality	British
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh
Occupation	Barrister, colonial judge and colonial administrative service officer

Early life and education

Innes was born on 4 September 1863, the son of James Innes of Banbury. He was educated at University of Edinburgh and University of Brussels and in 1900, was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn.^[1][2][3]

Career

Innes joined the civil service of the Straits Settlements in 1886 after competitive examination, and served in various administrative and legal posts including, in succession: assistant Indian Immigration Agent, Malacca (1889); District Officer, North Malacca (1890); acting Collector of Land Revenue and Magistrate, Malacca (1892); District Officer, South Malacca (1893); acting Collector of Land Revenue and Officer in Charge of Treasury, also acting Magistrate and Deputy Registrar of Supreme Court, Malacca (1893); acting Collector of Land Revenue, Singapore (1894); acted as Magistrate (1894-95), and as Official Assignee and Registrar of Deeds (1895); acting assistant Colonial Secretary (1895); Collector of Land Revenue, Penang (1897); acting Senior District Officer, Province Wellesley (1898); acting 1st Magistrate, Penang, and acting Inspector of Prisons, Straits Settlements (1898-99).^[1][2][3]

In 1902, he was appointed Deputy Public Prosecutor, Straits Settlements and then Secretary to the Resident, Perak (1904); Acting Legal Adviser, Federated Malay States, and acted as Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, Straits Settlements (1906).^[2] In the following year, he was appointed Judicial Commissioner, Federated Malay States, and in 1915, was Judge of the Supreme Court, Straits Settlements. After serving as Acting Chief Judicial Commissioner in 1913, and again from 1917 to 1919, he retired in 1919.^[1][3][4][5]

Personal life and death

Innes married Edith Offin. Their daughter Olive Mary married Sir Andrew Caldecott.^[6]

Innes died on 1 October 1948, aged 85.^[1]

Honours

Innes was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1920 New Year Honours.^[7]