John Callan: Difference between revisions
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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Callan was characterised by his interest in detail in his cases. "He observed every facet of a case and frequently made comments that were reported in the press". He was much given to asking questions during a legal argument. "He had also a keen dramatic sense. His favourite leisure occupation seemed to be the recital in detail of matters grave or gay in some case with which he had been concerned either as counsel or Judge." He once observed that practice at the bar encouraged self-expression. But that, as the judges were recruited from the bar, such experts in self-expression were, as Judges, put in a place where their greatest virtue was to be able to hold their tongues.<ref name="Robin Cooke124-125"/> |
Callan was recognised as one of the most kindly and erudite Judges of his era.<ref>Robin Cooke, p. 323 (Sir George McGregor in Chapter 20, "Otago and Manawatu: reminiscences").</ref> Callan was characterised by his interest in detail in his cases. "He observed every facet of a case and frequently made comments that were reported in the press". He was much given to asking questions during a legal argument. "He had also a keen dramatic sense. His favourite leisure occupation seemed to be the recital in detail of matters grave or gay in some case with which he had been concerned either as counsel or Judge." He once observed that practice at the bar encouraged self-expression. But that, as the judges were recruited from the bar, such experts in self-expression were, as Judges, put in a place where their greatest virtue was to be able to hold their tongues.<ref name="Robin Cooke124-125"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 04:27, 24 September 2010
John Bartholomew Callan (1882-1951) KC was a New Zealand Judge. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court (1934-1951).[1]
Early life
Callan was the son of John Bartholomew Callan, a Dunedin lawyer. He was born on 15 August 1882, five years after his family's arrival in New Zealand from Australia.[2] The Callans had migrated from Ireland to Australia with the Gavan Duffys family and Callan was descended from Charles Gavan Duffy..[2] He was educated at the Christian Brothers School in Dunedin and commenced his law studies before the Law Faculty of the University of Otago came into being. His principal instructor was James Garrow, a well-known new Zealand legal scholar. On 10 July 1913, at the North-East Valley Roman Catholic Church, Dunedin, Callan married Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of James Dugald Mowatt, a Dunedin stationer, and they had one son.[2]
Lawyer
After graduating BA and LL.B at the University of Otago, Callan entered his father's office and became a partner in the firm when his father was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council in 1907. He was appointed a lecturer in law at Otago University in 1912.[3] During World war I, Callan served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and became a Captain.[1] On his returned to Dunedin he continued his law practice. He also became Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago[1] and he resumed his lectureship in Torts there.[4] Callan took silk in 1934[5], and he moved to Wellington.[2]
On the bench
Callan was appointed a Justice in the Supreme Court in 1935 and went to Auckland as a resident Judge.[6] As a Judge, apart from the normal case load , Justice Callan also undertook Government investigations on the Aliens Tribunal and on the leakage of information (both relevant to World War II).[7] Callan also contributed on a wider stage. Apart from his 10 years as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago (1924-1934), he was also a member of the Council of Legal Education.[2] He died in Auckland on 12 February 1951 at the age of 69.[8]
Characteristics
Callan was recognised as one of the most kindly and erudite Judges of his era.[9] Callan was characterised by his interest in detail in his cases. "He observed every facet of a case and frequently made comments that were reported in the press". He was much given to asking questions during a legal argument. "He had also a keen dramatic sense. His favourite leisure occupation seemed to be the recital in detail of matters grave or gay in some case with which he had been concerned either as counsel or Judge." He once observed that practice at the bar encouraged self-expression. But that, as the judges were recruited from the bar, such experts in self-expression were, as Judges, put in a place where their greatest virtue was to be able to hold their tongues.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Robin Cooke QC, Portrait of a Profession: The Centennial Book of the New Zealand Law Society (from Chapter 7 "Bench and Bar 1928-1950" by Sir David Smith) , Reed, Wellington, 1969, pp. 124-125.
- ^ a b c d e CALLAN, John Bartholomew, K.C., from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 18-Sep-2007.
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 344.
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 323
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 183
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 107.
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 121
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 421.
- ^ Robin Cooke, p. 323 (Sir George McGregor in Chapter 20, "Otago and Manawatu: reminiscences").
Category:1882 births
Category:1951 deaths
Category:New Zealand people of Irish descent
Category:New Zealand lawyers
Category:High Court of New Zealand judges
Category:New Zealand jurists
Category:New Zealand Roman Catholics
Category:University of Otago alumni