David Cairns (judge)
British judge and Liberal Party politician (1902–87)
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Sir David Arnold Scott Cairns (5 March 1902 – 8 September 1987), was a British judge and Liberal Party politician.
Background
Cairns was the son of David Cairns JP, a Freeman of Sunderland, and Sarah Scott Cairns. He was educated at Bede Grammar School for Boys in Sunderland and at Pembroke College, Cambridge. In 1932, he married Irene Cathery Phillips; the couple had one son and two daughters. He was knighted in 1955 and appointed to the Privy Council in 1970.[1]
Political career
He was Liberal candidate for the Epsom division of Surrey at the 1947 Epsom by-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Malcolm McCorquodale | 33,633 | 61.0 | +11.1 | |
| Labour | R Bishop | 17,339 | 31.5 | −6.3 | |
| Liberal | David Cairns | 4,121 | 7.5 | −4.7 | |
| Majority | 16,447 | 33.0 | |||
| Turnout | 16,294 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
He did not stand for parliament again.[3] However, the following year he was elected to Leatherhead Urban District Council. He served for two three-year terms. He was also actively involved inside the Liberal Party on policy development. From 1948-49 he was Chairman of the Liberal Party Commission on Trade Unions. From 1951-53 he was a member of the Liberal Party Committee.[1]
Professional career
Cairns was chairman of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission. He was Lord Justice of Appeal from 1970-77. He presided over a number of notable enquiries and cases;