Harold Wilson: Recording judge's fine contributions (From Oxford Mail)

Harold Wilson: Recording judge's fine contributions

4:00pm Thursday 10th November 2011 in Obituaries

A senior judge who introduced video links to court cases involving children has died.

Judge Harold Wilson, who was 80, had a notable career which took him from a lawyer in Oxford to a deputy High Court judge.

He died on November 5 after a battle with cancer.

Judge Wilson, of North Oxford, was born in Cambridge, where he attended school and later went on to complete national service with the RAF.

After becoming a lawyer in 1958, he joined the Oxford Circuit and became a leading member, specialising in criminal work.

He became deputy chairman of the Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions, Recorder at Oxford Crown Court and chairman of industrial tribunals.

In 1981, he was appointed a circuit judge, before going on to become a resident judge in Coventry and then honorary Recorder for the city in 1986.After his time in Coventry, he returned to Oxford, becoming a resident judge in 1992, and an honorary Recorder in 1996.

In the late 1990s, Judge Wilson become the liaison judge to the magistrates’ court, probation service and Thames Valley Partnership.

During this period he introduced video linking to cases involving children, helping to protect them from the court room. But it was in the field of family law that Judge Wilson made his greatest mark, helping to implement the Children Act in 1989. As a result of this, he was invited to sit as deputy High Court judge in the family division.

In retirement, Judge Wilson remained active in the field and helped establish training for people to support the disabled in court.

Among his many honours, Judge Wilson was appointed a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and Shrivel Remembrancer of Oxfordshire.

Three weeks before his death, Judge Wilson enjoyed his 80th birthday with his wife, Jill, his children, step-children, grandchildren and friends.

There will be a thanksgiving service for Judge Wilson at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, on Saturday, November 19, at 11am.