Thomas Sargant (1905–1988) was a British law reformer who campaigned for the promotion of human rights.

Biography

Grave of Tom Sargant in Highgate Cemetery

Sargant, who was educated at

Highgate School Highgate School, formally Sir Roger Cholmeley's School at Highgate, is an English co-educational, fee-charging, independent day school, founded in 1565 in Highgate, London, England. It educates over 1,400 pupils in three sections – Highgate ...

, was for much of his life a businessman and politician who became increasingly concerned with the impact of the law and legal services upon ordinary people. In the mid-1950s, he was asked to help mobilise lawyers in support of those accused in treason trials in Hungary and South Africa, and JUSTICE was set up as a result. Tom Sargant became its first Secretary and was a driving force of the organisation until his retirement in 1982. As a result of his commitment, persistence and determination, JUSTICE played a key role in taking up the cause of miscarriage of justice cases. Sargant's tireless campaigning resulted in some 25 people being released, or released early, from prison. He was instrumental in the establishment of the BBC series ''Rough Justice'', which led to the release of 18 victims of miscarriages of justice. He also played a major role in bringing about other key measures such as the creation of the office of

Ombudsman An ombudsman (, also ,), ombud, ombuds, ombudswoman, ombudsperson or public advocate is an official who is usually appointed by the government or by parliament (usually with a significant degree of independence) to investigate complaints and at ...

and the establishment of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. In 1966 he was awarded an

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

and became a JP. He was made Honorary Master of Laws at

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in 1977. In 1989 the first Thomas Sargant Memorial Lecture was given in his memory and has been given every year since. The lectures are organised by JUSTICE. Tom Sargant's daughter was the educationalist Naomi Sargant (1933–2006). He is buried in a family grave on the eastern side of Highgate Cemetery.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sargant, Thomas 1905 births 1988 deaths Burials at Highgate Cemetery People educated at Highgate School Alumni of Queen's University Belfast British civil rights activists Common Wealth Party politicians Common Wealth Party