Colin Pearson, Baron Pearson
Lord Justice of Appeal | |
---|---|
In office 1961–1965 | |
Justice of the High Court | |
Personal details | |
Born | Colin Hargreaves Pearson Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada |
Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
Colin Hargreaves Pearson, Baron Pearson,
Early life and legal career
Born in
Taking up the law, Pearson joined the
Pearson became Junior Counsel (Common Law) to the
Commission chairman and senior judge
In 1958 Pearson chaired a committee to consider the rules for investment of funds paid into court to provide for, among others, widows and children who were awarded compensation. The committee reported in 1959, firmly recommending a less risk averse approach to investment, suggesting investment in equities but with risk sharing between funds. The recommendations led to the Administration of Justice Act, 1965. The only recommendation not implemented was that, where there were no children, funds for widows should continue to be managed by the courts.[1]
In 1960, Pearson was appointed President of the
In April 1964,
In 1966 he again chaired an inquiry following the seamen's strike of 1966. Pearson's findings were sympathetic to, and supportive of, the seamen's claims for improved conditions and were welcomed by the National Union of Seamen and employers alike. He reprised his role with the civil air transport industry dispute of 1967–1968, the British Steel dispute of 1968 and the docks strike of 1970. From 1971 to 1972 he chaired the Arbitral Body on Teachers' Remuneration.[1]
Pearson commission on civil liability and compensation
In 1973, Pearson was chosen to chair the Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Personal Injury. The commission reported in 1978. Pearson believed that tort's traditional role of compensation had become outdated with the rise of the welfare state since the end of World War II.
He saw the benefits system as having the primary role of providing compensation and security following an accident, and
Leading cases as judge
- Anisminic v Foreign Compensation Commission(1968);
- Baker v. Willoughby(1969);
- Home Office v. Dorset Yacht Co.(1970).
Family and other interests
On 30 July 1931, he married Sophie Grace Thomas with whom he had a son and a daughter (Lois Jean, later The Hon Mrs Smith as wife of Bishop
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Obituary: Lord Pearson - Inquiries into industrial disputes". The Times. 1 February 1980. p. 16, col G.
- ^ a b c d Allen (2004)
- ^ Berlins, M. (18 March 1978). "Judge who has successfully headed sensitive inquiries". The Times. p. 4, col. A.
- ^ "No. 43580". The London Gazette. 19 February 1965. p. 1.
Bibliography
Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages [
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 9 April 2008 (Subscription Required)
- Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury, Stationery Office (1978), Command paper #7054