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The Right Honourable Sir Edward Somers

The Right Honourable Sir Edward Somers

The Right Honourable Sir Edward SomersThe Right Honourable Sir Edward Somers was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 1928. He was educated at Christ's College and at Canterbury University, Christchurch, where he read law (BA, LLB).

He practised as a barrister and solicitor between 1952 and 1971, and practised solely as a barrister from 1971. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1973.

Sir Edward was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in 1974, and became a judge of New Zealand's Court of Appeal in 1981. He retired in 1990. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree (LLD) by the University of Canterbury in 1992.

On 23 February 1998 Sir Edward was appointed as a Member of the Inquiry looking into the events of 30 January 1972 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On 1 August 2000 it was announced that Sir Edward had resigned from the tribunal for personal reasons. Sir Edward Somers died on 3 June 2002.