Bisson, Right Honourable Sir Gordon Ellis Biography 1991

BISSON, Right Honourable Sir Gordon Ellis
Kt 1991, PC 1987; Retired Judge of the Court of Appeal
Born Napier, 23 November 1918, son of Clarence Henry Bisson and Ada (née Ellis); married Myra Patricia Kemp, daughter of Frederick William and Jeanie Kemp, 1948; three daughters.
Education: Nelson Park School, Napier; Napier Boys High School; Victoria University, LLB 1941, Sir Michael Myers’ Prize in Law 1939.
Naval Service 1940-1945: HMNZS Leander in Pacific; m.i.d. while serving in HMS Warspite, Home Fleet during Normandy invasion; promoted Lieutenant Commander serving on staff of Vice-Admiral Walker in Flag Ship HMS Nelson, Eastern Fleet.
Partner, Bisson Moss Robertshawe & Co, Barristers and Solicitors, Napier, 1946-1978; Crown Solicitor, Napier 1961; Judge, Courts Martial Appeal Court, 1976; Judge of Supreme Court and High Court, 1978-1986; Judge of the Court of Appeal, 1986-1990; Member of Privy Council, 1987; President: Hawkes Bay Law Society 1963-1964, Hawkes Bay Medico-Legal Society 1972; Vice President: NZ Law Society 1974-1977, NZ Sect International Commission of Jurists 1979 – .
Publications: Criminal Law and Practice in New Zealand (co-authored) 1st Edition, 1961.
Recreations: tennis, golf, fly-fishing.
Address: 15 Golf Road, Heretaunga, Wellington 6402.