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Sir Charles Sargent, Knight,
M.A.(Cantab.), Bar-at-Law. : Sir
Charles Sargent followed Sir Westropp as Chief Justice in 1882 and continued
till 1895. Sargent is amongst the best judges of Bombay. His Lordship
received his education at Cambridge where he took his M.A. and also achieved
the distinction of being Fifth Wrangler. His Lordship was called
to the Bar in 1848. Before coming out to India, he was Chief Justice
of the Ionian Islands. His Lordship was Puisne Judge for 16
years before he became Chief Justice in 1882 and so his judicial
career extended over unusually long period of nearly thirty years.
Sargent enjoyed the respect and confidence of the professionals as well
as of the public in an unusual degree. The prestige of the High Court
rose very high during his term of office. Unlike Westropp, his judgments
are generally short, lucid and to the point. His Lordship was singularly
free from political or racial bias, and encouraged young rising Indian advocates,
like Tyabji and Telang, the latter of whom he raised to the Bench. On his
retirement in 1895, a public meeting was held presided over by Pherozeshah
Mehta. Pherozeshah in his tribute said : "In the illustrious role of
judges distinguished for culture, capacity and learning, none has so worthily
sustained the great traditions of British justice as Sir Charles Sargent".
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