Clifford Perry

Sir Alan Clifford Perry (10 July 1907 – 1 May 1983) was a New Zealand lawyer and judge. He served as a judge of the Supreme Court (now known as the High Court) from 1962 to 1979. However, he is perhaps best remembered for taking the case of Lee v Lee's Air Farming Ltd to the Privy Council in 1960, and successfully arguing for the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal to be overturned.

Early life and family Born in Oamaru on 10 July 1907, Perry was the son of George and Agnes Perry. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and went on to study law at Canterbury University College, graduating Master of Laws with second-class honours in 1930.

During World War II, Perry served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Air Training Corps (ATC). He was commissioned as a pilot officer in the ATC on 8 May 1942, and promoted to the rank of flying officer a year later. He relinquished his commission on 1 March 1946.

Perry married Barbara Jean Head at St Ninian's Church, Riccarton, on 24 December 1943, and the couple went on to have three children. Their son Brian became an architect based in London, specialising in retail shopping centres, and was a principal consultant for "The Shades" shopping centre in central Christchurch in 1977.

Career Perry started working at the Christchurch law firm of Wilding and Acland while he was a student. He became a partner in 1936 and the firm became Wilding Perry and Acland.

In 1960, Perry successfully appealed the Court of Appeal's unanimous decision in the case of Lee v Lee's Air Farming Ltd to the Privy Council in London.

Perry was active in supporting the legal profession. He served as president of the Canterbury District Law Society in 1950, and was a member of the council of the New Zealand Law Society from 1950 to 1951. He was a member of the disciplinary committee of the New Zealand Law Society between 1952 and 1962, and also served as a member of the Council for Legal Education. Perry was subsequently based in Auckland.

In 1977, Perry was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. In the 1976 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor, in recognition of his service as senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court. As senior puisne judge, Perry was ex officio acting chief justice when the chief justice was overseas. Perry retired from the bench on 10 July 1979, and was granted retention of the title The Honourable for life.

Later life and death Perry and his wife remained in Auckland in retirement, but also spent time at their cottage at Arthur's Pass. His widow, Barbara, Lady Perry, died in Australia on 20 September 2008.