Five documents relating to the application of Lord Chorley for the lectureship in Evidence, Procedure and Criminal Law at the Inns of Court School of Law, including letters of recommendation from Lord Wright and Sir Alexander Carr-Saunders.

Author: 
Robert Alderson Wright (1869-1964), Baron Wright [Lord Wright, Master of the Rolls, 1935-37]; Sir Alexander Carr-Saunders (1886-1966) [Robert Samuel Theodore Chorley (1895-1978), 1st Baron Chorley]
Publication details: 
London. 1952.
£120.00
SKU: 12767

The five items are in good condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Items One and Two: Typed drafts of a 'Statement of Qualifications', headed 'Lord Chorley's application for appointment to the lectureship in Evidence, Procedure and Criminal Law.' Both 2pp., 4to. Slightly different in layout, and with few (if any) textual differences. After describing his career Chorley writes: 'Although my chief legal study has been commercial law I had experience of teaching Evidence, Procedure and Criminal Law at the Law Society's School. I examined in these subjects for the Council of Legal Education, and have also examined in criminal law for the Cambridge LL.B. and for the Law Society's Honours Examination. Penal Problems have for a number of years occupied my attention, and I am Chairman fo the Council of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency and a Vice Chairman of the Howard League.' He descibes his 'other interests of a public character'. The document concludes 'If appointed I shall do my best not only to instill into my pupils a sound and broad grasp of legal principles and rules, but also some knowledge of the traditions and principles of the English bar, as far as this may be done in lectures of a general character.' Item Three: Autograph Letter of Recommendation Signed ('Wright') from Lord Wright. On letterhead of the Oxford & Cambridge University Club, Pall Mall; 2 July 1952. 2pp., 4to. 34 lines. He begins: 'I am happy to be allowed to support Lord Chorley's application for the post in the Inns of Court School of Law left vacant by the much regretted death of Sir Roland Burrows.' He has had 'opportunities of appreciating Lord Chorley's qualities & his experience in the Law & his forensic outfit [sic, for 'outlook'] almost from the date of his call', and praises his 'learning and breadth of view'. Wright 'had the honour to take the chair of his inaugural lecture on the Conflict of Law & Commerce, when he entered on a successful career as Cassel Professor of Commercial & Industrial Law in the University of London in 1930'. He continues to press Chorley's claims to the post, before concluding: 'I am confident that Lord Chorley will be a most inspiring & instructive teacher & would add further strength to the already distinguished staff of the school.' Item Four: Typed transcript of Item Three. 1p., 4to. Item Five: Typed copy of letter of recommendation from A. M. Carr-Saunders. 2 July 1952. He begins by describing Chorley's career, with the comment that he gave up 'the prospect of a successful career at the Bar because of his deep interest in teaching'. He concludes by describing Chorley's 'most successful' tenure, from 1930 to 1944, of the Sir Ernest Cassel Chair of Commerical and Industrial Law.' Chorley's 'politcal appointment' has been a considerable loss to the academic profession, 'and it would be greatly to the benefit of that profession if he resumed his place as a teacher of law'.