Peter North (legal scholar)

Sir Peter Machin North CBE QC FBA (born 30 August 1936[1]) is a British academic lawyer who served as Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, from 1984 to 2005 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1993 to 1997.[2]

Sir Peter North
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
In office
8 February 1993 – 10 January 1997
ChancellorThe Lord Jenkins of Hillhead
Preceded bySir Richard Southwood
Succeeded bySir Colin Lucas
Principal of Jesus College, Oxford
In office
3 February 1984 – 5 January 2005
Preceded bySir John Habakkuk
Succeeded byThe Lord Krebs
Personal details
Born (1936-08-30) 30 August 1936 (age 88)
Alma materKeble College, Oxford
ProfessionAcademic lawyer

Early life and education

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North was born on 30 August 1936 in Nottingham, England. He was educated at the Humberstone Foundation School, a state school in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, and at Oakham School, a private school in Oakham, Rutland. From 1954 to 1956, he undertook national service as a second lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment of the British Army. He then studied at Keble College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1959, a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree in 1960, and a Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) degree in 1976.[3]

Career

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North began his academic career as a teaching fellow at Northwestern University in Chicago, United States, between 1960 and 1961. He then returned to the United Kingdom, and was an assistant lecturer (1961–1962) and then a lecturer (1962–1963) at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He moved to the University of Nottingham, where he was a lecturer from 1963 to 1965.[4]

Returning to his alma mater, he was tutor in law (1965–1976) and a fellow (1965–1984) of Keble College, Oxford. In 1984, he was elected Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. Additionally, he twice served as pro-vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford (1988–1993 and 1997–2005). From 1993 to 1997, he served as head of the university as its vice-chancellor. He retired in 2005, and was appointed an honorary fellow of Jesus College.[3]

Reviews

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North chaired the Review Body of the Independent Review on Parades and Marches in Northern Ireland, whose final report (published on 29 January 1997 and widely known as "The North Report") led to the establishment of the Parades Commission which regulates potentially controversial parades in Northern Ireland.[5]

North was also chair of a University of Oxford inquiry, established to review the running of the university. The report, published on 29 January 1998 (precisely one year after the Parades and Marches report), was also known as "The North Report".[6] He was knighted on 10 March 1998.[7]

More recently, North's review of the legal alcohol limit for driving was submitted to Philip Hammond, the then Secretary of State for Transport at the end of May 2010.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Sir Peter North, CBE, QC, FBA". People of Today Online. Debrett's. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Previous Vice-Chancellors". University of Oxford, UK. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b "North, Sir Peter (Machin), (born 30 Aug. 1936), Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, 1984–2005; Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Oxford, 1988–93, and 1997–2005 (Vice-Chancellor, 1993–97)". Who's Who 2020. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Sir Peter North QC". Faculty of Law. University of Oxford. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ Fionnuala McKenna (12 March 2007). "Parades and Marches - Independent Review of Parades and Marches in Northern Ireland". CAIN (Conflict Archive on the INternet). University of Ulster. Retrieved 28 March 2007.
  6. ^ The University of Oxford (29 January 1998). "University set for vigorous debate on North report". Oxford University Gazette. 128 (4462). Retrieved 28 March 2007.
  7. ^ "No. 55229". The London Gazette. 18 August 1998. p. 8994.
  8. ^ "Bid to cut drink-driving by almost half", Daily Telegraph, 4 June 2010.
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Academic offices
Preceded by Principal of Jesus College, Oxford
1984–2005
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University
1993–1997
Succeeded by