James John Skinner

James John Skinner (24 July 1923 – 21 October 2008) was an Irish-born Zambian politician and jurist. He was the first Minister of Justice of independent Zambia and the only White member of Zambia's first cabinet. Quotes “It is one of the functions of the judiciary to criticize the action of the executive or its individual servants whenever the need arises. If that right is denied then the courts would no longer effectively carry out their duties.” “Confidence in the Judiciary is a delicate bloom in Africa and I am not going to risk destroying its growth in Zambia,” https://zambianobserver.com/the-journey-of-judicial-integrity-in-zambia/?utm "The constitution of the Republic provides that every person charged with a criminal offence shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person, or at his own expense, by a legal representative of his own choice. The right which is guaranteed in our fundamental law has for a long time been recognized to be of great importance to the maintenance of the freedom of the individual in many countries having a similar jurisprudence to our own." "The people must know that when they go to court they will receive justice, and that all citizens are equal before the Courts regardless of their tribe, race or political opinions." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_John_Skinner External links Category: People from Zambia Category:1923 births Category:2008 deaths Category:Politicians from Malawi Category:Politicians from Ireland Category:Judges Category:Lawyers from Ireland