James Wicks
Sir James Haywood Wicks(20 June 1901 – 1 July 1989) was aBritishlawyer and to-date the longest servingChief Justice of Kenya.[1]
Biography
[edit]Wicks was born atColnbrook,Middlesexin 1901. He was educated at theRoyal Grammar School, Guildford,King's College London,andChrist Church, Oxford.[2]On graduation he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and began practising inGuildfordandLondon.[3]He thereafter read law, and wascalled to the BaratGray's Innin 1939.[4]Following the outbreak of theSecond World Warhe volunteered to serve in theRoyal Air Force,achieving the rank ofSquadron Leaderand beingmentioned in dispatchesthrice.[5]After the war, he resumed his legal career, first serving asCrown CounselinMandatory Palestinebetween 1946-47.[6]Thereafter he moved toHong Kongserving as aMagistratebetween 1948–53 and aDistrict Judgebetween 1954 and 58.[7]
In 1958, upon his promotion to aPuisne Judgehe moved toKenya.In 1971, he was appointed Chief Justice of Kenya byJomo Kenyattaand would remain in the post until his retirement in 1982.[8]He was knighted in theQueen's 1972 New Year Honours.When he reached the mandatory retirement age of 68, the law was changed to enable him to continue, first to the ages of 70 and 72, and lastly until 74.[9]During his time in office he oversaw the transition of power from Kenyatta toDaniel arap Moiand expanded the training of lawyers within the country.[10]Following his retirement, he spent his last years inGuernsey,where he died in 1989.[11]
References
[edit]- ^"Kenyan-law-was-changed-three-times-to-suit-this-man".The Nairobian.
- ^The Nairobi Law Monthly, A. & C. Black, 1981, p.811
- ^The Nairobi Law Monthly, A. & C. Black, 1981, p.811
- ^The Nairobi Law Monthly, A. & C. Black, 1981, p.811
- ^Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage, Kelly's Directories, 1973 - Gentry
- ^A. & C. Black, 1981, Who was who: A Companion to Who's Who, Containing the Biographies of Those who Died, Volume 8, p.811
- ^A. & C. Black, 1981, Who was who: A Companion to Who's Who, Containing the Biographies of Those who Died, Volume 8, p.811
- ^East Africa and Rhodesia, Volume 34, Africana., 1958, p.853
- ^"Kenyan-law-was-changed-three-times-to-suit-this-man".The Nairobian.
- ^"No-walk-in-the-park-for-heads-of-the-judiciary".Standard Media.
- ^Kenya Gazette, Vol. 93, No. 50, 6 Dec 1991
- 1901 births
- 1989 deaths
- 20th-century Kenyan judges
- Chief justices of Kenya
- People educated at Royal Grammar School, Guildford
- Alumni of King's College London
- Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford
- Knights Bachelor
- Members of Gray's Inn
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
- Royal Air Force squadron leaders
- Military personnel from Berkshire