Morris Finer
Encyclopedia
Sir Morris Finer QC was a lawyer
and judge
.
As a young barrister
Morris Finer also wrote leaders for the London Evening Standard
. He was called to the Bar
in 1943 and became a Queen's Counsel in 1963 and was made a Judge in 1972.
He was chairman of the Cinematograph Films Council and a Governor and later, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors, of the London School of Economics
.
In 1967 Morris Finer chaired a committee that included Anthony Lester
, Sir Geoffrey Bindman
and Michael Zander
, for the Society of Labour Lawyers. The resulting report was published as 'Justice For All' in 1968.
Under Finer's chairmanship the 'Finer Report on One Parent Families' was published in the early 1970s and he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Press
but died at 57 before its completion.
There is additional information about Sir Morris Finer in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
and a painting of him by his cousin, Stephen Finer
, is in the collection of Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
, Sussex
.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
.
As a young barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
Morris Finer also wrote leaders for the London Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
. He was called to the Bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1943 and became a Queen's Counsel in 1963 and was made a Judge in 1972.
He was chairman of the Cinematograph Films Council and a Governor and later, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors, of the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
In 1967 Morris Finer chaired a committee that included Anthony Lester
Anthony Lester, Baron Lester of Herne Hill
Anthony Paul Lester, Baron Lester of Herne Hill, QC is a British politician and member of the House of Lords, and a member of the Liberal Democrats....
, Sir Geoffrey Bindman
Geoffrey Bindman
Professor Sir Geoffrey Lionel Bindman QC is a British solicitor specialising in human rights law, and founder of the human rights law firm Bindmans LLP, described by The Times as "never far from the headlines." He has been Chair of the British Institute of Human Rights since 2005...
and Michael Zander
Michael Zander
Michael Zander, QC, FBA, 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...
, for the Society of Labour Lawyers. The resulting report was published as 'Justice For All' in 1968.
Under Finer's chairmanship the 'Finer Report on One Parent Families' was published in the early 1970s and he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Press
Royal Commission on the Press, United Kingdom
In 1947 the National Union of Journalists argued for a Royal Commission to investigate the risk to freedom of expression caused by increasing concentration of ownership of the press and the potential influence of advertisers on editorial content...
but died at 57 before its completion.
There is additional information about Sir Morris Finer in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
and a painting of him by his cousin, Stephen Finer
Stephen Finer
-Work:Finer participated in "British Art from the Arts Council Collection 1940-80" at the Hayward Gallery, 'Collazione Inglese ll' at the Venice Biennale and was in the touring exhibition, 'Men on Women', 'The Portrait Now' at the National Portrait Gallery and 'Painting the Century 101 Portrait...
, is in the collection of Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
.
Finer Report on One Parent Families
- Finer Report on One Parent Families - published by HMSO
- volume 1 ISBN 0-10-156290-X*;
- volume 2 + appendices ISBN 0-10-156291-8
Other publications
- Company Law (1948)
- Justice For All (1968) -Society of Labour Lawyers
External links
- Archive of documents on Finer Report on One Parent Families
- Catalogue of the Royal Commission on the Press papers at LSE Archives
- Catalogue of the Committee on One Parent Families papers at LSE Archives
- Morris Finer Memorial Scholarships