Hiram Parkes Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Hiram Parkes Wilkinson, BCL
, KC
(1866–1935) served as Crown Advocate of the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
from 1897 to 1925. He was also Acting Assistant Judge of the British Court for Siam from 1903 to 1905 and Judge of the British High Court for Weihaiwei from 1916 to 1925. He was the son of Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson
who also served as Crown Advocate, Judge of the British Court for Japan and Chief Justice of the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
.
After qualifying as a barrister in 1890, he practiced briefly on the Western Circuit before he went to Shanghai to join his father who was then in practice as the British Crown Advocate in Shanghai.
From 1900 to 1905 while his father served as Chief Justice of the British Supreme Court for China and Corea
, Wilkinson was required to take leave from his post as Crown Advocate of that court.
In 1925 he retired from his position as Crown Advocate and Judge and returned to Ireland and moved to Moneyshanere, Tobermore
. On his retirement, the North China Herald
, published a long article of Wilkinson's reminiscences that recounted his career in the Far East.
of Londonderry.
Hiram Parkes Wilkinson also founded the Tobermore Unionist Club, which later became a branch of the Ulster Volunteers, which itself became part of the 36th Ulster Division in WWI.
Hiram Parkes Wilkinson died in Shanghai in 1935.
Bachelor of Civil Law
Bachelor of Civil Law is the name of various degrees in law conferred by English-language universities. Historically, it originated as a postgraduate degree in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but many universities now offer the BCL as an undergraduate degree...
, KC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(1866–1935) served as Crown Advocate of the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
British Supreme Court for China and Japan
The British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
from 1897 to 1925. He was also Acting Assistant Judge of the British Court for Siam from 1903 to 1905 and Judge of the British High Court for Weihaiwei from 1916 to 1925. He was the son of Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson
Hiram Shaw Wilkinson
Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson, JP, DL was a leading British judge and diplomat, serving in China and Japan-Early life:Hiram Shaw Wilkinson was born in 1840, the son of John Wilkinson Esq., of Belfast and Annabella Shaw, daughter of William Shaw, Esq., of Holden's Valley, County Down...
who also served as Crown Advocate, Judge of the British Court for Japan and Chief Justice of the British Supreme Court for China and Japan
British Supreme Court for China and Japan
The British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
.
Early Life
Wilkinson was born at the British Naval Hospital on the Bluff in Yokahama, Japan while his father was a student interpreter in the British consular service. He was brought up in Japan before attending school at the Methodist College, Belfast and Exeter College, Oxford.After qualifying as a barrister in 1890, he practiced briefly on the Western Circuit before he went to Shanghai to join his father who was then in practice as the British Crown Advocate in Shanghai.
Career
During his time in Asia he served as:- Crown Advocate of the British Supreme Court for China and JapanBritish Supreme Court for China and JapanThe British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
(remamed the Supreme Court for China and Corea between 1900 and 1910 and the Supreme Court for China from 1910 onwards) (1897–1925) - Acting Assistant Judge of the British Supreme Court for China and JapanBritish Supreme Court for China and JapanThe British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
(1898) - British Claims Commissioner under the Boxer ProtocolBoxer ProtocolThe Boxer Protocol was signed on September 7, 1901 between the Qing Empire of China and the Eight-Nation Alliance that had provided military forces plus Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands after China's defeat in the intervention to put down the Boxer Rebellion at the hands of the...
(1901) - Acting Assistant Judge of the British Court for Siam (1903–1905)
- Judge of the British High Court for Weihaiwei (1916–1925)
From 1900 to 1905 while his father served as Chief Justice of the British Supreme Court for China and Corea
British Supreme Court for China and Japan
The British Supreme Court for China and Japan was a court established in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1865 to try cases against British subjects in China and Japan, and from 1883, Korea, under the principles of Extraterritoriality. The court also heard appeals from consular courts in...
, Wilkinson was required to take leave from his post as Crown Advocate of that court.
In 1925 he retired from his position as Crown Advocate and Judge and returned to Ireland and moved to Moneyshanere, Tobermore
Tobermore
Tobermore is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is located two and a half miles south of Maghera and five miles west of Magherafelt. Tobermore lies within the civil parish of Kilcronaghan and is part of Magherafelt District Council...
. On his retirement, the North China Herald
North China Daily News
North China Daily News was an English-language newspaper in Shanghai, China, called the most influential foreign newspaper of its time.The paper was founded as the weekly North-China Herald and was first published on 3 August 1850. Its founder, British auctioneer Henry Shearman , died in 1856...
, published a long article of Wilkinson's reminiscences that recounted his career in the Far East.
Later Life
He was admitted to the bar of Northern Ireland in 1926 and he was appointed a King's Counsel in 1928. In 1930 he was appointed High SheriffHigh Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
of Londonderry.
Hiram Parkes Wilkinson also founded the Tobermore Unionist Club, which later became a branch of the Ulster Volunteers, which itself became part of the 36th Ulster Division in WWI.
Hiram Parkes Wilkinson died in Shanghai in 1935.