Child of Another Century: Recollections of a High Court Judge

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The 20th century saw a period of enormous legal and social change in Britain. In these engaging memoirs Ronald Waterhouse, who sat as one of Britain's leading High Court Judges, provides fascinating frontline insights into the complex British legal system. Waterhouse took silk in 1969 and became a High Court judge in 1978 in the Family Division, transferring to the Queen's Bench in 1988 where he presided over well-known trials such as those of Ken Dodd and Derek Hatton. Libel, including reading libel for Private Eye with Richard Ingrams and Paul Foot, civil and personal injury work were a prominent part of his practice. After his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Child Abuse in North Wales Children's Homes in 1996. It was during this time that he went onto lead the biggest inquiry into child abuse ever held in Britain, publishing the highly significant and influential report 'Lost in Care' in 2000. From his early career as a barrister at Middle Temple, which saw his involvement in high-profile cases such as the notorious Moors Murders in the 1960s and Slater Walker in the 1970s, to his later work as a Judge, Waterhouse here presents a detailed and authoritative narrative of British jurisprudence in the second half of the 20th century. This unique insider's view will fascinate general readers and prove essential reading for specialists.

Reviews

To come

Author Bio

Born in 1926, Sir Ronald Waterhouse GBE grew up in a Liberal family in North Wales. Wartime service in the RAF led to study of Law at Cambridge and he was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1952. His long and distinguished legal career encompassed a diverse practice as barrister and silk before becoming a High Court judge in 1978. He was married to Lady Sarah Waterhouse and had three children. He died shortly after completing this memoir in 2011 at the age of 85.