11 Facts About Oliver Schreiner

Oliver Deneys Schreiner MC KC, was a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa.

Oliver Schreiner was later described as "the greatest Chief Justice South Africa never had".

Oliver Schreiner's studies were interrupted by the First World War: he was commissioned into the British Army, and served with the Northamptonshire Regiment and the South Wales Borderers.

Oliver Schreiner was called to the Transvaal bar in 1920 and set up a practice in Johannesburg, dealing primarily in commercial arbitration, white collar crime and being recognised as a specialist in procedure.

Oliver Schreiner lectured on the law of torts and crime at the Faculty of Law of University College, Johannesburg, then in its early days: the Law School is today named in his honour.

Oliver Schreiner had a roaring civil practice, and took silk as a King's Counsel in 1935.

Oliver Schreiner presided over the special court which tried Robey Leibbrandt and others for high treason; the judgment ran to 70,000 words and took seven hours to be delivered.

Oliver Schreiner was twice passed over for appointment as Chief Justice, despite being the most senior appellate judge.

When Fagan retired two years later, Oliver Schreiner was again passed over, this time losing out to Steyn.

Oliver Schreiner was later described by Ellison Kahn as "the greatest Chief Justice South Africa never had".

Oliver Schreiner sat on the appellate courts of various African territories.