Owen Woodhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Owen Woodhouse
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Woodhouse in 2009
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| President of the Court of Appeal | |
| In office 1981–1986 |
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| Preceded by | Clifford Richmond |
| Succeeded by | Robin Cooke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 July 1916 Napier, New Zealand |
| Died | 15 April 2014 (aged 97) Auckland, New Zealand |
Sir Arthur Owen Woodhouse (born July 18, 1916 – died April 15, 2014) was a very important New Zealander. He was a top judge and led many government groups. He is best known for creating a special system to help people who get injured.
Contents
Early Life and War Service
Owen Woodhouse was born in Napier in 1916. He studied law at the University of Auckland, finishing his degree in 1940.
During World War II, he served in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was a Lieutenant Commander on fast motor torpedo boats. In 1943, he worked as a liaison officer with the Yugoslav Partisan fighters. Later, he was at the British Embassy in Belgrade. He received the Distinguished Service Cross in 1944 for his naval actions in the Adriatic Sea.
A Career in Law and Justice
After the war, Woodhouse became a judge. In 1961, he was appointed a Judge of the New Zealand Supreme Court. He then became a judge in the New Zealand Court of Appeal in 1974. That same year, he joined the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which is a high court for some Commonwealth countries.
From 1981 to 1986, he was the President of the Court of Appeal. This is a very senior role in New Zealand's legal system. After retiring from that role, he led the New Zealand Law Commission until 1991.
Creating the Accident Compensation Scheme
One of Sir Owen Woodhouse's biggest achievements was leading the Royal Commission on Accident Compensation from 1966 to 1967. This group suggested a "no-fault" accident compensation scheme. This means that if someone is injured, they can get help and support regardless of who was at fault.
This idea became law in April 1974, known as ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). It helps New Zealanders who have been injured. In 1974, the Australian Government asked him to create a similar report for Australia. In 1988, he wrote another report suggesting that people injured by sickness should get the same help as those injured in accidents.
Honours and Awards
Sir Owen Woodhouse received many awards for his important work. He was given honorary degrees from Victoria University of Wellington and York University in Canada.
He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1974. This means he could use "Sir" before his name. In 1981, he became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 2007, he was made an additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, which is a very high honour.
Remembering Sir Owen Woodhouse
Sir Owen Woodhouse passed away on April 15, 2014, at 97 years old. The New Zealand Parliament paused to remember him.
Prime Minister John Key said Sir Owen's life showed great public service. Leader of the Opposition David Cunliffe called him a "great New Zealander" and thanked him for his work on accident compensation. Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias said he was an "outstanding jurist with a passion for social justice."
In May 2014, the ACC national office in Wellington named its atrium the "Sir Owen Woodhouse Atrium" in his memory.
Family Life
In 1940, Owen Woodhouse married Margaret Leah Thorp. They had four sons and two daughters. His son, Peter Woodhouse, also became a High Court judge in 2007.
