Sir John Leonard Stone, OBE, QC (6 November 1896 – 3 January 1978) was the last British chief justice of the High Court of Bombay, serving from 30 September 1943 until 1948. Educated at

Malvern College Malvern College is a Private schools in the United Kingdom, fee-charging coeducational boarding school, boarding and day school in Malvern, Worcestershire, Malvern, Worcestershire, England. It is a public school (United Kingdom), public school ...

, he served in the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and in the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922. Called to the bar at

Gray's Inn The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the bar in order to practise as a barrister in England and Wale ...

in 1923, he joined the

Lincoln's Inn The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, commonly known as Lincoln's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for Barrister, barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the bar in order to practise as a barrister ...

Bar in 1931, becoming a

Bencher A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales or the Inns of Court in Northern Ireland, or the Honorable Society of King's Inns in Ireland. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher c ...

of Gray's Inn in 1942 and its treasurer in 1956. He served in the British Home Guard during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, until 1943, when he was appointed Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He was appointed an OBE in the 1943 New Year Honours (citing his Home Guard service) and knighted in the 1943 Birthday Honours. He was appointed a King's Counsel in 1948. He subsequently served as Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster from 1948 to 1963.

References

Chief Justice Sir Leonard Stone - from the Bombay High Court website
*''Who's Who'', A&C Black, 1977–1978 1896 births 1978 deaths Members of Gray's Inn Members of Lincoln's Inn Knights Bachelor Officers of the Order of the British Empire Chief justices of the Bombay High Court British India judges People educated at Malvern College British people in colonial India British King's Counsel 20th-century King's Counsel {{UK-law-bio-stub

See also

References