Michael Zander
Encyclopedia
Michael Zander, QC
, FBA, (born 16 November 1932 in Berlin
) is a distinguished British legal scholar and expert on the English legal system, the legal profession, civil justice and criminal justice in particular. He is Professor Emeritus of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the author of several books known to generations of lawyers and law students alike. Professor Zander was a member of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice
(1991–1993). He is currently a member of the Home Office's PACE Strategy Board.
After attending the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
from 1946 to 1951, he won an Open Exhibition in English at Jesus College, Cambridge
, where he took a Double First Honours Degree in Law, then obtained a First Class in the LLB and was awarded the Whewell Scholarship in International Law. Zander then took an LLM at Harvard University
. For a time, he worked with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell
on Wall Street. After his return to the United Kingdom, he qualified and then briefly practised as a solicitor, before he joined the LSE Law Department in 1963. Zander was appointed to a Professorial Chair in 1977, was Convenor of the Law Department from 1984 to 1988 and again in 1997-98. He was appointed an Honorary Queen's Counsel in 1997 and was elected a Senior Fellow of the British Academy
in 2005. Professor Zander retired from the LSE in 1998.
For twenty five years, from 1963 to 1988, he was Legal Correspondent of "The Guardian" newspaper, for which he wrote some 2,000 articles. He has frequently broadcast on radio and television, commenting on legal issues.
In 2010, Zander was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by King's College, London. The citation stated: "He has devoted a long and active career to the study, teaching, practice and improvement of the law, and has made outstanding contributions in both the academic and public spheres. There is no greater authority in the fields to which he has devoted himself: criminal procedure, civil procedure, legal system, legal profession and legal services. . . The central mission of his professional life has been to make the justice system work better."
He is the son of lawyer and scholar Walter Zander
and Gretl Magnus. In 1937, when he was four years old, the family emigrated from Germany to England because of their Jewish background. His brother is the conductor Benjamin Zander
.
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...
, FBA, (born 16 November 1932 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
) is a distinguished British legal scholar and expert on the English legal system, the legal profession, civil justice and criminal justice in particular. He is Professor Emeritus of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the author of several books known to generations of lawyers and law students alike. Professor Zander was a member of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice
Royal Commission on Criminal Justice
The Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, also known as the Runciman Commission, was established on 14 March 1991 by the Home Secretary. The Commission was the continuation of Sir John May's inquiry into the false convictions of the Maguire Seven and extension to other miscarriages of justice...
(1991–1993). He is currently a member of the Home Office's PACE Strategy Board.
After attending the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS.The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe is a selective grammar school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. As a state school it does not charge fees for students to attend, but they must pass an entrance exam...
from 1946 to 1951, he won an Open Exhibition in English at Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
, where he took a Double First Honours Degree in Law, then obtained a First Class in the LLB and was awarded the Whewell Scholarship in International Law. Zander then took an LLM at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. For a time, he worked with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is an international law firm headquartered in New York. The firm has approximately 800 lawyers in 12 offices, located in financial centers in the United States, Asia, Australia and Europe. Sullivan & Cromwell was founded by Algernon Sydney Sullivan and William Nelson...
on Wall Street. After his return to the United Kingdom, he qualified and then briefly practised as a solicitor, before he joined the LSE Law Department in 1963. Zander was appointed to a Professorial Chair in 1977, was Convenor of the Law Department from 1984 to 1988 and again in 1997-98. He was appointed an Honorary Queen's Counsel in 1997 and was elected a Senior Fellow of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
in 2005. Professor Zander retired from the LSE in 1998.
For twenty five years, from 1963 to 1988, he was Legal Correspondent of "The Guardian" newspaper, for which he wrote some 2,000 articles. He has frequently broadcast on radio and television, commenting on legal issues.
In 2010, Zander was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by King's College, London. The citation stated: "He has devoted a long and active career to the study, teaching, practice and improvement of the law, and has made outstanding contributions in both the academic and public spheres. There is no greater authority in the fields to which he has devoted himself: criminal procedure, civil procedure, legal system, legal profession and legal services. . . The central mission of his professional life has been to make the justice system work better."
He is the son of lawyer and scholar Walter Zander
Walter Zander
Walter Zander was a German-British lawyer, scholar and writer. He was Secretary of the British Friends of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem 1944-71, Governor of the University 1972-93, Senior Associate Fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford 1971-88 and author of several books and articles, many of...
and Gretl Magnus. In 1937, when he was four years old, the family emigrated from Germany to England because of their Jewish background. His brother is the conductor Benjamin Zander
Benjamin Zander
Benjamin Zander is an American conductor from the United Kingdom.-External links:* *-Interviews:* * * *...
.
Selected publications
- Cases and Materials on the English Legal System (10th ed., 2007)
- The Law Making Process (6th ed., 2004)
- The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (5th ed.2005)
- The State of Justice (2000)
- A Bill of Rights? (4th ed.1997)
- The Crown Court Study (1993)
- A Matter of Justice (1989)
- Legal Services for the Community (1978)
- Lawyers and the Public Interest (1968)