Howard Morrison (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
Howard Andrew Clive Morrison CBE
is a British lawyer and, since August 2009, a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
based in The Hague
, Netherlands
.
in 1977, where he was appointed a Bencher
in 2008. From 1977 to 1985, he practised on the Midland and Oxford Circuit, including working in courts martial
in the UK and Germany. In 1985, he was appointed Resident Magistrate and then Chief Magistrate of Fiji, and Senior Magistrate for Tuvalu
. In 1988, he was appointed Attorney General
of Anguilla
with specific responsibility for the speedy enactment of new anti-drugs legislation, and awarded an OBE
. He was called to the bars of Fiji
(in 1988) and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
(in 1990). He returned to the United Kingdom in 1989, where he continued to work on the Midland Circuit, being appointed Assistant Recorder
in 1993 and Recorder in 1997.
In 1998, he began working in defence at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
(ICTR) in Arusha
, Tanzania
, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
(ICTY) in The Hague
, being appointed Queen's Counsel
in 2001. In 2004, he ceased working at the war crimes tribunals to become a full-time Circuit Judge, and in 2008 became Senior Judge of the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus
.
Morrison was appointed a judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
in 2009, but resigned shortly afterwards on his appointment as a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
(ICTY), succeeding Lord Bonomy
.
in 2007. He also lectures on international humanitarian law
throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, USA and Australia. He was a member of the Race Relations Committee of the Bar Council
from 1996 to 2002 and of its Equal Opportunities Committee from 2002 to 2003. He is a member of the International Bar Association
, the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Association, human rights
group JUSTICE
, the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, and of the Advisory Board for the Journal of International Criminal Law. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
(FRGS) in 1991.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
is a British lawyer and, since August 2009, a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, more commonly referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or ICTY, is a...
based in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Legal career
Morrison was called to the Bar at Gray's InnGray'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...
in 1977, where he was appointed a Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
in 2008. From 1977 to 1985, he practised on the Midland and Oxford Circuit, including working in courts martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
in the UK and Germany. In 1985, he was appointed Resident Magistrate and then Chief Magistrate of Fiji, and Senior Magistrate for Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
. In 1988, he was appointed Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin...
with specific responsibility for the speedy enactment of new anti-drugs legislation, and awarded an OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. He was called to the bars of Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
(in 1988) and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is a superior Court of record for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States , including six independent states: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and three British...
(in 1990). He returned to the United Kingdom in 1989, where he continued to work on the Midland Circuit, being appointed Assistant Recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
in 1993 and Recorder in 1997.
In 1998, he began working in defence at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is an international court established in November 1994 by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 955 in order to judge people responsible for the Rwandan Genocide and other serious violations of international law in Rwanda, or by Rwandan...
(ICTR) in Arusha
Arusha
Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania. It is the capital of the Arusha Region, which claims a population of 1,288,088, including 281,608 for the Arusha District . Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, more commonly referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or ICTY, is a...
(ICTY) in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, being appointed Queen's Counsel
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...
in 2001. In 2004, he ceased working at the war crimes tribunals to become a full-time Circuit Judge, and in 2008 became Senior Judge of the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British-administered areas comprising a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus administered as Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom...
.
Morrison was appointed a judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an international tribunal for the prosecution under Lebanese law of those responsible for the assassination of Rafic Hariri on February 14, 2005. The tribunal also has jurisdiction over a series of other attacks in Lebanon if they are proven to be connected...
in 2009, but resigned shortly afterwards on his appointment as a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, more commonly referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or ICTY, is a...
(ICTY), succeeding Lord Bonomy
Iain Bonomy, Lord Bonomy
The Rt Hon. Iain Bonomy, Lord Bonomy PC, is a Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, sitting in the High Court of Justiciary and the Inner House of the Court of Session...
.
Other appointments
Morrison was a Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Monash University Faculty of LawMonash University Faculty of Law
Monash University Faculty of Law, or Monash Law School, is the law school of Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria. Established in 1963, it offers the LLB, J.D., LLM, S.J.D., LLD and PhD degrees in law. It has been ranked as one of the top 20 law schools in the world...
in 2007. He also lectures on international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, USA and Australia. He was a member of the Race Relations Committee of the Bar Council
General Council of the Bar
The General Council of the Bar, commonly known as the Bar Council, is the professional association for Barristers in England and Wales. Established in 1894, it acts as a disciplinary body and a regulatory body through the Bar Standards Board...
from 1996 to 2002 and of its Equal Opportunities Committee from 2002 to 2003. He is a member of the International Bar Association
International Bar Association
The International Bar Association is an international association of lawyers and lawyers' associations. The IBA's stated purpose is to promote an exchange of information between legal associations worldwide, support the independence of the judiciary and the right of lawyers to practice their...
, the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Association, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
group JUSTICE
JUSTICE
JUSTICE is a human rights and law reform organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is the British section of the International Commission of Jurists, the international human rights organisation of lawyers devoted to the legal protection of human rights worldwide...
, the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, and of the Advisory Board for the Journal of International Criminal Law. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
(FRGS) in 1991.
External links
- Website of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
- Text of public lecture, "Human Rights Challenges in Trying Grave Crimes", delivered 8 March 2007 at the Monash UniversityMonash UniversityMonash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
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