Sebag Shaw


Sir Sebag Shaw was a British barrister and judge.
Sebag Sochaczewski was born in East London to Chaim Sochaczewski, owner of a photographic studio, and Marie, and educated at Central Foundation Boys' School and University College London. In his youth he had suffered a severe attack of polio, which left him with a pronounced limp, nevertheless becoming a skilled swimmer, rower and horseman. He was called 'Sib' by family and friends. In 1928, he married Sally, daughter of Oscar Baumgart. He was called to the Bar from Gray's Inn in 1931, appointed Q.C. in 1967, and Bencher of Gray's Inn that same year, being later Leader of the South Eastern Circuit. Shaw served from 1958 to 1968 as Honorary Recorder of Ipswich, succeeding Sir Stephen Gerald Howard, QC, MP. Shaw was succeeded by the Hon. William McLaren Howard, QC.

Notable cases

In 1955 Shaw was junior counsel to Aubrey Melford Stevenson for the defence in the trial of Ruth Ellis; she was the last woman hanged in the United Kingdom.

Further career

Knighted in 1968, Shaw was appointed a High Court judge and promoted to be a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1975; he served in this capacity until his death. He chaired the Justice Annual members conference in 1973. Shaw was a Member of the Bar Council from 1964-8, and of the Parole Board from 1971-4.