Alexander Morrison (judge)
Encyclopedia
Alexander John Henderson Morrison (born 16 November 1927) is a British
judge
, President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal
between 1983 and 1998.
, he was educated at Derby School
and Emmanuel College, Cambridge
, graduating BA
, MA, and LLB
, and then trained as a barrister at Gray's Inn
, London
.
Quarter Sessions
from 1964 to 1971, then regional Chairman of Industrial Tribunals, Sheffield
, and a Recorder of the Crown Court
from 1971 to 1980. He was a Circuit Judge from 1980 to 1998 and President of the Mental Health Review Tribunals from 1983 to 1998, when he retired.
He hit the headlines in 1995, when he said to an all white jury at Derby crown court "I have before me photographs of twelve Asian men, all of whom look exactly the same."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal
Mental Health Review Tribunal
The Mental Health Review Tribunal consists of two distinct bodies, within a single non-departmental public body, which exist to protect the rights of persons subject to the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and Wales in the United Kingdom...
between 1983 and 1998.
Early life
The younger son of Dr Alexander Morrison of DerbyDerby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, he was educated at Derby School
Derby School
Derby School was a school in Derby in the English Midlands from 1160 to 1989. It had an almost continuous history of education of over eight centuries. For most of that time it was a grammar school for boys. The school became co-educational and comprehensive in 1974 and was closed in 1989...
and Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
, graduating BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, MA, and LLB
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
, and then trained as a barrister at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Career
Called to the Bar in 1951, Morrison became a member of the Midland Circuit. He was Deputy Chairman of the DerbyshireDerbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
Quarter Sessions
Quarter Sessions
The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were local courts traditionally held at four set times each year in the United Kingdom and other countries in the former British Empire...
from 1964 to 1971, then regional Chairman of Industrial Tribunals, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, and a Recorder of the Crown Court
Crown Court
The Crown Court of England and Wales is, together with the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, one of the constituent parts of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
from 1971 to 1980. He was a Circuit Judge from 1980 to 1998 and President of the Mental Health Review Tribunals from 1983 to 1998, when he retired.
He hit the headlines in 1995, when he said to an all white jury at Derby crown court "I have before me photographs of twelve Asian men, all of whom look exactly the same."