James John Skinner

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James John Skinner (born 24 July 1923 in Dublin – 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.^[1] Following his time as a Zambian jurist, Skinner moved to neighbouring Malawi, where he was Chief Justice from 1970 to 1985.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Emigration to Northern Rhodesia and entrance to politics 3 Resignation 4 Malawian law and return to Ireland 5 References

[edit] Early life

Skinner was born in July 1923 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland 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 and to the English Bar at Gray's Inn in 1945.

[edit] Emigration to Northern Rhodesia and entrance to politics

Six years later in 1951, Skinner emigrated to Northern Rhodesia. 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 1962 parliamentary 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.^[2] In 1965, he was honoured with the Grand Commander by Order of Menelik II award from Ethiopia, recognizing 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 the Supreme Court of Zambia.

[edit] Resignation

Skinner did not last long in his position as Chief Justice in Zambia. He resigned 6 months later in September 1969 following a clash with President Kenneth Kaunda over the sentencing of Portuguese soldiers from neighbouring Angola caught in Zambia. The soldiers were caught on the Zambian side of the Angolan-Zambian border and were arrested. A fellow expatriate jurist, Ifor Evan, concluded the original arrest of the soldiers was "trivial" and dismissed the charges. When appealed to Skinner, he sided with Evans. Kaunda, a long time friend of Skinner, attacked the White-dominated court for siding with the soldiers. Supporters of Kaunda stormed the Court building following the ruling, attacking the Whites inside. Kaunda quickly apologized, but Evan and Skinner fled the country, with Skinner going on "indefinite sick leave".^[3] A month later, he was replaced on the court by Brian Doyle, a fellow White Zambian.^[4]

[edit] Malawian law and return to Ireland

Skinner became the Chief Justice of Malawi in 1970 under Hastings Banda, lasting in that position until 1985. In that year, Skinner returned to Ireland, the country of his birth, where lived out his life with his wife and two children. He died in October 2008 at the age of 85.^[5]

[edit] References