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James John Skinner: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox person | |||
| name = James John Skinner | |||
| image = James John Skinner.jpg | |||
| image_size = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = Photo of James John Skinner when Chief Justice of Malawi | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1923|01|24|df=yes}} | |||
| birth_place = Clonmel, Ireland | |||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1923|01|24|2008|10|21|df=yes}} | |||
| death_place = Aachen, Germany | |||
| death_cause = | |||
| spouse = Norah Kalaluka | |||
| children = 2 | |||
| relatives = 1990s - present | |||
| other_names = [[Smooth IK]] | |||
| occupation = Journalist <br> TV & Radio Presenter <br>Sports commentator | |||
| years_active = | |||
| known_for = [[Smooth Talk]]<br>[[Born & Bred]] | |||
| notable_works = | |||
}} | |||
'''James John Skinner''' (24 July 1923 – 21 October 2008) was an Irish-born Zambian politician and jurist. He was the first | '''James John Skinner''' (24 July 1923 – 21 October 2008) was an Irish-born Zambian politician and jurist. He was the first Minister of Justice of independent [[Zambia]] and the only White member of Zambia's first cabinet.<ref name="Dublin-born lawyer">[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2008/1101/1225321621639.html "Dublin-born lawyer who became first white minister in independent Zambia"] ''The Irish Times'', 1 November 2008</ref> Following his time as a Zambian jurist, Skinner moved to neighbouring Malawi, where he was Chief Justice from 1970 to 1985. His final judicial appointment was as a Social Security Commissioner in England from 1986 to 1996. | ||
== Family == | == Family == | ||
Skinner came from a family steeped in the law. His grandfather, James G. Skinner, was a solicitor in | Skinner came from a family steeped in the law. His grandfather, James G. Skinner, was a solicitor in Mitchelstown, County Cork. His father William "Bill" Skinner was also a solicitor and was appointed the County Registrar for Tipperary. His uncle, Leo Baptist Skinner, a solicitor, was also an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and was elected (1943 and 1944) to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork North constituency and was appointed a District Court judge in 1966. His cousin, Geraldine Skinner, a barrister, became the legal adviser in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin and subsequently the Irish Ambassador to Luxembourg. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life and education== | ||
Skinner was born in July 1923 in Clonmel, Republic of Ireland,<ref name=Times /> to WJ Skinner, and Kathleen O'Donnell. He attended | Skinner was born in July 1923 in Clonmel, Republic of Ireland,<ref name=Times /> to WJ Skinner, and Kathleen O'Donnell. He attended Clongowes Wood College prior to attending Trinity College, Dublin. Following studying at Trinity College, Skinner was called to the King's Inns 1946 and to the English Bar at Gray's Inn in 1950. He practised in the Leinster Circuit from 1946 to 1951. | ||
== | ==Career== | ||
In 1951, Skinner emigrated to [[Northern Rhodesia]]. He was called to the Bar of Northern Rhodesia in 1951. A defender of African rights, Skinner joined the mainly African [[United National Independence Party]] (UNIP) in 1960 and quickly became the party's legal advisor. Ostracized by most | In 1951, Skinner emigrated to [[Northern Rhodesia]]. He was called to the Bar of Northern Rhodesia in 1951. A defender of African rights, Skinner joined the mainly African [[United National Independence Party]] (UNIP) in 1960 and quickly became the party's legal advisor. Ostracized by most white residents of the colony, Skinner lost in his bid for a seat in the pre-independence parliament in the [[Northern Rhodesian general election, 1962|1962 general election]]. Two years later in the first election following independence, he was elected to represent a constituency of [[Lusaka]]. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in Northern Rhodesia on 9 September 1964.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=43451|startpage=8293|date=2 October 1964|accessdate=11 November 2008}}</ref> In 1965, he was honoured with the Grand Commander of Order of Menelik II award from Ethiopia, recognising his contributions to Zambia's independence. Skinner was the Attorney General of Zambia from independence until 1967, when he was appointed Justice Minister. In March 1969, he was appointed [[Chief Justice of Zambia]]. | ||
==Resignation== | ==Resignation== | ||
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==Malawi, judicial appointment in England and return to Ireland== | ==Malawi, judicial appointment in England and return to Ireland== | ||
Skinner became the | Skinner became the Chief Justice of Malawi in 1970 under Hastings Banda, lasting in that position until 1985. In that year, Skinner returned to England where he was appointed a Social Security and Child Support Commissioner by the Lord Chancellor. The work involved the determination of complex appeals on points of law often by unrepresented and disadvantaged claimants. He was adept in giving written judgments which were clear in law but in simple language that could be understood by claimants.<ref>"His Honour Judge Kenneth Machin" – ''The Times'' – Lives Remembered 12 November 2008</ref> | ||
He retired at the statutory retirement age for judges (72) and spent his remaining years with his wife and five children. | |||
==Death== | |||
He died in October 2008 at the age of 85 and his ashes were finally buried in Clonmel in Ireland, the country of his birth.<ref name=Times>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5091708.ece |title=James Skinner: Chief Justice in Zambia and Malawi|publisher= ''The Times''|date= 6 November 2008}}</ref> | |||
== Quotations == | == Quotations == | ||
