SKERRETT, SIR CHARLES PERRIN (1863-1929) was born in India, came to New Zealand with his father (Peter Perrin Skerrett) at the age of 12, and was educated in Wellington. His first position was that of telegraph messenger. He was a cadet in the Treasury in 1878, and on 6 Mar 1879 became a cadet in the Justice department. It was as a clerk in the magistrate's court in Wellington that he first learned something of law and the necessity for strict attention to detail. His father, who was messenger and court crier, was advised to read law, and he and his son were admitted to the bar about the same time.

Skerrett served his articles with Bell, Lewis and Gully, and having passed in all subjects first in his year, he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1884. He commenced practice on his own account, quickly gained the reputation of being a powerful pleader, and was noted for the facility and lucidity with which he presented complicated cases. From 1887-93 he was a member of the firm of Brown, Skerrett and Dean. In 1893 he retired from the partnership, and in 1894 he was joined by Andrew Wylie. From this partnership (Skerrett and Wylie) by amalgamation with the business of Chapman and Tripp, evolved the firm of Chapman, Skerrett, Wylie and Tripp which, in 1913 (on the retirement of Martin Chapman, KC, and Andrew Wylie) became Chapman, Skerrett, Tripp and Blair. When the dignity of King's Counsel was created in New Zealand (1907) Skerrett was one of the first on whom it was conferred. He retained his connection with Chapman, Skerrett, Tripp and Blair until Feb 1926, when he was appointed Chief Justice in succession to Sir Robert Stout. During his career at the bar Skerrett was connected with many important cases before the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council, and as counsel in numerous election petitions, including those of Thomas Wilford (Hutt), Maui Pomare (Western Maori) and James Parr (Eden). For many years he was regarded as the leader of the bar, although Sir Francis Bell was his senior. None excelled him in the power of concentration. He possessed a remarkably quick mind, and an unusually comprehensive grasp of the principles of law. As Chief Justice he maintained the high standard he had set at the bar and strengthened the reputation and standing of the Supreme Court bench. He was knighted in 1927.

Skerrett's interests outside the profession were numerous. He was an expert horseman and a keen polo player. He was captain of the Wellington Polo club before it disbanded in 1906, and played in many tournaments. He was deputy-master of the United Hunt club, and once won the Hunt steeples on his own horse, Halicore. He was a vice-president of the Wellington Racing club, and as a member of the New Zealand Racing conference he took a leading part in framing the rules and regulations. He was a keen fisherman and golfer, and delighted in deer-stalking. At one time he played for the Poneke football club. He was also a patron of Association football, and president of the New Zealand football association (to which he presented the Skerrett Cup for competition among secondary schools). He was president of the New Zealand Sports Protection league, the New Zealand Welfare league and the Licensing Reform association, and he served several terms as president of the Wellington and the Wellesley clubs. His wit, charm and felicity of expression stamped him as a fine after-dinner speaker. He was several times president of the Wellington district law society, and from 1918-26 was president of the New Zealand law society. He was also for many years a member of the Rhodes Scholarship selection committee. Skerrett was unmarried. He died on 13 Feb 1929.

N.Z. Law Jour., 5 Mar 1929; Beauchamp; The Times, 18 Feb 1929; Evening Post, 13 Feb 1929.

Reference: Volume 2, page 156

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