Shropshire Star

The end of an era: One of Shropshire's top judges call time on 16 year career

He has been Shropshire's top judge for 16 years, but now Robin Onions has called time on his legal career.

Published
Judge Robin Onions

A Valediction ceremony at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where he has spent much of his time administering justice, marked his retirement yesterday, bringing an end to his 46-year career in the law.

Following his decision to step down the 68-year-old judge, who has often viewed the media with some scepticism, invited the Shropshire Star to his chambers for a rare interview.

Judge Onions is fully aware that, when appointed resident judge at Shrewsbury in 2005, he was joining a distinguished group of previous judges - Richard Chetwynd-Talbot, Michael Mander, Peter Northcote and Desmond Perritt - whose roots were embedded in the county.

"I am very conscious that, having been born and raised in Shropshire, I may well be the last judge to be appointed at Shrewsbury who has such strong links with the county," he said.

Those who have witnessed his tenure get an impression of both the necessary punishment and sound advice being given in fair and equal measure to those who have stood before him in the dock.

  • Born Shrewsbury in 1948

  • His father, Ernest Onions DFC, was a member of Bomber Command and later was a building contractor and a Shropshire county councillor. He died 1973.

  • His mother, Peggy, worked with her husband and succeeded him as a county councillor. She died 1995.

  • He was educated at Prestfelde School, Shrewsbury (1958-61) and Priory Grammar School, Shrewsbury (1961-67), London School of Economics (London University) 1967-70, LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) 1970 College of Law (1970-71), Admitted as Solicitor (1973).

  • He was a trainee solicitor and later an assistant solicitor for the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames (1971-74)

  • Returning to Shropshire he was an assistant solicitor with JCH Bowdler (now Lanyon Bowdler) 1974-76 and was a partner 1977-2000 and a senior partner 1993-2000.

  • He specialised in criminal courts advocacy, family proceedings and liquor licensing.

  • Between 1992-95 he sat as an Assistant Recorder and as a Recorder between 1995 and 2000 when he was appointed as a Circuit Judge.

  • Between 2005 and 2014 he was Resident Judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court and during his time as a judge was authorised to hear cases involving attempted murder, serious sexual assault, general crime and has also heard civil cases, public and family issues, including adoption.

  • He was a member of the Parole Board between 2010-2015.

  • He has a brother and two sisters and is married with children and grandchildren.

  • His interests include travel, gardening and sport, particularly football, and he is a keen Shrewsbury Town FC supporter.[/breakout]

It is the result of dedicating many hours of endeavour outside the court room, a circumstance appreciated by those in the legal profession, but often unrecognised by the public.

"The work of a judge is by no means a nine to five job. It involves hours of reading in the evenings and at weekends to prepare for court," he said.

"It is vitally important when you are sentencing someone, especially when you are considering imprisonment.

"Defendants have a right to expect you to know all the issues involved in their case and it is equally right that the views of the victims are heard," he said.

He believes that work is the framework and that family is the foundation of life.

Now, after devoting more than four decades to the law, he looks forward to more time with his family, pottering in the garden, a trip to South Africa and is planning to explore the UK and Ireland by boat - and not forgetting his interest in football and his particular passion for Shrewsbury Town FC.

Judge Onions says that after university he feels that having somehow "fallen into" working in the legal profession, it has been something that he has enjoyed doing.

Having trained in advocacy he was initially employed in local government at Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey tackling issues of parking, food safety, care proceedings and planning inquiries.

"But I found I was becoming more of an administrator and much less of a lawyer," he said.

Returning to Shropshire in 1974 he joined the Shrewsbury-based law firm, now known as Lanyon Bowdler.

"I started in conveyancing, but that was not really for me, and it did not last long," he recalls.

"I was a prosecutor for the police at court for seven years which was hard work, but gave me tremendous experience," he said.

This position changed in 1985 with the emergence of the Crown Prosecution Service, so his work as a defence lawyer then increased substantially.

"It took six years to become an Assistant Recorder which was a long haul. I first sat at Stoke on Trent Crown Court," he said.

He was a Recorder between 1995 and 2000 and then, at the age of 52, came his appointment as a Circuit Judge.

After 16 years Judge Onions retires from his post at a time when the criminal justice system is facing severe financial restrictions and is moving swiftly into a digital age and when there are controversial changes to the administration of Shropshire's criminal courts.

"The law is constantly changing and particularly in this era of technology. It is something that everyone has to get used to," he said.

He said courts will be dealing with digital files - a process that was officially launched at Shrewsbury Crown Court last month.

"Large files of paper documents are now going to be a thing of the past. I fully support this move but everyone is going to require training," he added.

"It has moved on dramatically from when I worked with a secretary and the clattering of type writers, to people now using computers.

"We no longer need a library of books anymore and can so quickly obtain material off the internet," he said.

The financial restraints also give rise to a concern over the reduction of solicitors who are involved in criminal legal aid work.

"There are now only six or seven firms in Shropshire in this position which cuts down the choice of legal representation.

"It also increases travelling distances for all concerned, but the funds to support legal aid are just not there anymore," he said.

The recent closure of the magistrates court in Shrewsbury and the county's magistrates now sitting only in Telford has sparked considerable debate with many people believing that it is not a good move.

While saddened by the loss of many magistrates courts across the county over recent years, Judge Onions is backing the current changes.

"I am in favour of the magistrates moving from Shrewsbury to the complex in Telford and the subsequent proposed move of the crown court to the Shrewsbury magistrates building.

"The two crown courts and offices in the Shirehall are leased from the local authority and there has been little refurbishment for many years. The courts and offices have not been painted in my time as a judge here," he said.

Judge Onions said the former magistrates court building is modern and, with suitable alterations to accommodate jury and the public, will provide better facilities for the crown court.

" It will be lighter and airier and there will be better acoustics and the cell complex is better and more secure and all the court users, including those in custody, will find it much improved," he said.

"The present court rooms have no facilities to cater for disabled people, especially those who have to use a wheelchair, whether they are defendants or witnesses," he explained.

"I am sorry to see the magistrates courts having to move to Telford. It is sad that the county has lost many smaller magistrates courts over the years, at Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Market Drayton.

"However, there are six court rooms at the Telford complex and it is important that all courts are used to their full capacity," he said.

With a smile, Judge Onions was quick to point out today's Valediction, before he presides over his final list of cases, was not for the purpose of having people say nice things about him.

"It simply provides me with the opportunity to thank all the people who have helped and supported me over the years - my family, the court staff, judges and barristers, probation staff and those who have had the custody of defendants," he said.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.