Lord Justice Sellers

Lord Justice Sellers MC PC

On the 14th February 1893 Frederic Aked Sellers (1893-1979) was born in Liverpool. His father, John Shuttleworth Sellers, was a ship owner. Sellers senior owned a fleet of coaster vessels. Frederic’s mother was Elizabeth Sellers (nee Stuart). Frederic married Grace Lilian Malin in Derby in 1917 whilst on home leave from France. Their Great War correspondence, amounting to some 1,700 letters, is now held in the Imperial War Museum, London. The couple had four children, three sons and a daughter. One son went on to become a Circuit Judge, sitting in Preston.

Frederic Aked Sellers (hereafter Sellers) was educated first at Silcoates School and then at the University of Liverpool. He graduated in 1914 with a B.A and an LL.B. degree.

Shortly after graduation Sellers enlisted as a private in the 13th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment.[i] He saw extensive combat in World War One. His war record was exemplary. His courage was outstanding. He won a Military Cross with two bars. This means Sellers won the Military Cross on three separate occasions. The Military Cross (MC) is the second highest award for gallantry after the Victoria Cross. The MC is awarded for “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.” Sellers was awarded his MC for his conduct during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He had connected up telephone wires under heavy fire whilst wounded.  The two bars were added to his MC in 1918. These additional gallantry awards were for reconnaissance missions under heavy fire. Sellers had been gassed twice and was blinded for three weeks. Sellers reached the rank of captain before he was discharged from the Army on medical grounds. This followed the gas attack mentioned above.

After the war Sellers was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn on the 14th May 1919. Shortly thereafter he joined chambers at 10 Cook Street, Liverpool, and practiced in Liverpool and on the Northern Circuit. Sellers took Silk in 1935 being appointed a King’s Counsel. His practice focused on shipping and commercial disputes. He was elected a Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 1938 and was Treasurer in 1952. Other appointments included being made the Recorder of Bolton from 1938 to 1946.

In 1929 Sellers had stood, unsuccessfully, as the Liberal candidate for Waterloo. He came third in a three-party contest. He stood again in 1945 for Hendon North as a Liberal and also came third.

On the 13th February 1946 Sellers was elevated to the High Court of England and Wales as a judge in the King’s Bench Division. He received the customary knighthood on the 6th March 1946. Mr Justice Sellers sat in the King’s bench Division for eleven years with great distinction. This included a period as judge in charge of the Commercial Court.[ii]

On the 11th January 1957 Sellers was elevated to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales as a Lord Justice of Appeal where he sat until his retirement on the 10th January 1968. On this appointment Sellers was also made a member of the Privy Council. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (LL.D.) in 1956 by the University of Liverpool.

Sellers died on the 20th March 1979. He was 87 years old.[iii] A memorial service was held for him in Gray’s Inn Chapel on the 18th May 1979.

Written by Dr John Tribe.

References

[i] For Sellers, LJ’s war office record and service papers see: Captain Frederic Aked SELLERS. The King's (Liverpool Regiment), WO 339/3645, National Archive, Kew.

[ii] On this part of his career and more generally see the excellent biography, including a thorough examination of his cases, of Lord Justice Sellers at: https://www.commercialcourt.london/fa-sellers

[iii] Pension details have remained on record. See: Sir Frederic Aked Sellers: pension, LCO 6/4299, National Archive, Kew.

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