The Hon. Livius Sherwood

Judge Livius Sherwood provides a comprehensive account of his judicial career and extensive family legal heritage. Born in 1923 into a prominent legal family – his grandfather was Chief Justice Francis Alexander Anglin and his great-great-grandfather Livius Peters Sherwood was an early Osgoode Hall graduate and Family Compact member – Sherwood followed the family tradition into law after military service in World War II.

Sherwood’s career encompassed both private practice and significant community involvement before his 1960 appointment as magistrate. He was deeply engaged in youth services, serving as founding chairman of the Ottawa Youth Services Bureau and director of the Boys and Girls Club. His judicial tenure from 1960-1983 witnessed the transformation from magistrate to provincial court judge, along with dramatic changes in court administration and caseload management.

The interview reveals crucial insights into the evolution of Ontario’s provincial court system, highlighting the transition from manageable caseloads in the 1960s to overwhelming backlogs by the 1980s. Sherwood discusses notable cases including extradition hearings, diplomatic immunity issues, and early Charter of Rights applications. His perspective on plea bargaining, sentencing philosophy, and the tension between rehabilitation and public safety provides valuable historical context for understanding Canadian criminal justice evolution during a pivotal period.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.