Lionel Leach

Sir Alfred Henry Lionel Leach CIE PC (3 February 1883 – 26 January 1960), popularly known as Lionel Leach, was a British judge who served as a judge of the Burma High Court from 1933 to 1937, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court from 1937 to 1947 and a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council from 1949 to 1960.

Early life and education

Lionel Leach was born in Rochdale, the son of barrister Robert Alfred Leach on 3 February 1883. Lionel Leach was called to the bar in 1907.

Career

In 1933, Leach was appointed puisne judge of the Rangoon High Court. He served until 1937 when he was transferred to Madras as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He was knighted in the 1938 New Year Honours. The most important trial of his tenure was the Lakshmikanthan Murder Case and Leach presided over the sensational trial in 1944 in which M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and N. S. Krishnan were found guilty.

Leach served till 1 February 1947 and was succeeded by William Gentle. In 1949, Leach took silk, was sworn of the Privy Council, and headed the Singapore Riots Inquiry Commission of 1951 that made recommendations after the Maria Hertogh riots. He was appointed by Governor Franklin Gimson.

Death

Lionel Leach died in his chambers at Gray's Inn Square on 26 January 1960 at the age of 76.