Sir Jeremiah Le Roy Harman (13 April 1930 – 6 March 2021) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national id ...

barrister and High Court judge. His judicial service was marred by a series of gaffes and high-profile incidents, culminating in his resignation in 1998 after being subject severe criticism by the Court of Appeal for delays in handing down a judgment.

Early life

Harman was born in Kensington, London, the son of Sir

Charles Harman Sir Charles Eustace Harman (22 November 1894 – 14 November 1970) was an English lawyer and judge who was a Lord Justice of Appeal from 1959 to his retirement in mid-1970. He was born in Kensington, the son of John Eustace Harman (1861� ...

and Helen Sarah Le Roy Lewis. Harman was educated at

Eton College Eton College () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI of England, Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. i ...

, before joining the

Coldstream Guards The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army. As part of the Household Division, one of its principal roles is the protection of the monarchy; due to this, it often participates in state ceremoni ...

and subsequently the Parachute Regiment. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1954. He was appointed a judge of the High Court's

Chancery Division The High Court of Justice in London, known properly as His Majesty's High Court of Justice in England, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, are the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Its name is abbreviated as EWHC (Englan ...

in 1982.

Judicial career

He was known for his comments which were taken to reinforce the popular public stereotype of judges being out of touch with everyday life. He claimed not to have heard of

Oasis In ecology, an oasis (; ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment Paul Gascoigne Paul John Gascoigne (, born 27 May 1967), nicknamed Gazza, is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is described by the National Football Museum as "widely recognised as the most naturally tale ...

in 1990 when he was the subject of media interest due to his performances at the 1990 World Cup. When a female witness indicated that she preferred to be addressed as "Ms", Mr Justice Harman was reported to have said to her: "I've always thought there were only three kinds of women: wives, whores and mistresses." In 1992 he tried to kick a taxi driver whom he mistook for a press photographer trying to take his briefcase. Two of Harman's more notable decisions were: * ''

Cornhill Insurance plc v Improvement Services Ltd ''Cornhill Insurance plc v Improvement Services Ltd'' 9861 WLR 114 is a UK insolvency law case concerning the presentation of a winding up petition. Case Improvement Services Ltd claimed money under an insurance policy covering damage by fire ...

'' * ''

Breckland Group Holdings Ltd v London and Suffolk Properties ''Breckland Group Holdings Ltd v London & Suffolk Properties Ltd'' 989BCLC 100 is a UK company law case, concerning the right of a majority shareholder to litigate in the company's name. Facts A majority shareholder attempted to start litigatio ...

'' But he handed down a number of reported judicial decisions during his career.

Resignation

He resigned his position in 1998 after being subject to severe criticism by the Court of Appeal for not handing down a judgment until 20 months after the hearing. For the year 2000 he served as Treasurer of Lincoln's Inn.

Personal life

Harman married three times. He was married to Helen Gillian Wharton from 1955 to 1958. From 1960 to 1987 he was married to Erica Jane Bridgeman, daughter of Hon. Sir Maurice Bridgeman. They had two sons and one daughter. In 1987 he married thirdly, Katharine Frances Goddard Pulay (died 2002), daughter of Rt. Hon. Sir

Eric Sachs Sir Eric Leopold Otho Sachs, (23 July 1898 – 1 September 1979) was a British barrister and judge. He was a High Court judge from 1954 to 1966 and then a Lord Justice of Appeal until 1973. Biography Sachs was born in London. His father wa ...

. In 2021 Harman died in his home in Chelsea London, after suffering from cancer.

Arms

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harman, Jeremiah 1930 births 20th-century English judges People educated at Eton College Knights Bachelor Chancery Division judges Members of Lincoln's Inn 2021 deaths Coldstream Guards officers People from Kensington