Peter Openshaw
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Peter Lawford Openshaw (born 1947), styled The Hon. Mr Justice Openshaw, is an English judge
of the High Court
, Queen's Bench Division, in London
. He was educated at Harrow School
and St Catharine's College, Cambridge
, and called to the Bar
by the Inner Temple
in 1970, appointed a Recorder in 1988-99 at Preston, made a Bencher of the Inner Temple
in 2003, and Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire
in 2000.
He and his wife, Caroline Swift
, were sworn in as High Court judges on the same day in October 2005, which was thought at the time to be a first.
Crown Court
, east London on 16 May 2007, "The trouble is I don't understand the language. I don't really understand what a Web site
is." Court officials later said his statement was an attempt to clarify issues for the benefit of the court, not for himself, as is the role of the judiciary.
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...
of the High Court
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
, Queen's Bench Division, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was educated at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
, and 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...
by the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, 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 1970, appointed a Recorder in 1988-99 at Preston, made a Bencher of the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, 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 2003, and Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
in 2000.
He and his wife, Caroline Swift
Caroline Swift
Dame Caroline Jane Swift, DBE , styled The Hon. Mrs Justice Swift, was leading counsel to the Inquiry in the Shipman Inquiry, which began in 2001....
, were sworn in as High Court judges on the same day in October 2005, which was thought at the time to be a first.
Openshaw Internet statements
Openshaw attracted international media attention, when he stated in open court at WoolwichWoolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
Crown Court
Crown Court
The Crown Court of England and Wales is, together with the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, one of the constituent parts of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
, east London on 16 May 2007, "The trouble is I don't understand the language. I don't really understand what a Web site
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
is." Court officials later said his statement was an attempt to clarify issues for the benefit of the court, not for himself, as is the role of the judiciary.