Hon Sir Michael Alexander Geddes Sachs, Kt (1932-2003)

[Michael Rhodes]

Sir Michael Sachs, Kt, (the Hon Mr Justice Sachs), a Judge of the High
Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division since 1993, died peacefully
at his home, 25 September, 2003. He was 71.

Sachs was a former solicitor who made history in June, 1993 when he
became the first High Court Judge appointed from outside the ranks of
the Bar.

Michael Sachs was a Circuit Judge based in Manchester. His appointment
was welcomed by solicitors who were dismayed that no member of their
profession had been promoted to the High Court bench since legislation
in 1991 ended the Bar's monopoly of senior judicial appointments.

Michael Alexander Geddes Sachs was born 8 April, 1932, the son of Dr
Joseph Sachs, MB, ChB, DPH, by his wife, the former Ruby Mary Ross,
and was educated at Sedbergh and the University of Manchester.

Career: he became a solicitor in 1957 and was a partner with Slater
Heelis & Co of Manchester from 1962 to 1984.

He joined the circuit bench via the usual route of being a recorder,
from 1980 to 1984.

Judge Sachs was President of the Manchester Law Society, 1978-79;
Chairman of the Greater Manchester Legal Services Committee, 1977-81;
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Criminal Law, 1982-84, &c. He
was knighted in 1993.

Michael Sachs married in 1957, Patricia Mary Conroy, by whom he had
two sons Hugh and Jeromy and two daughters, Madeleine and Elizabeth.

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Michael Rhodes