Newton Ogilvie Thompson

Newton Ogilvie Thompson, KC (27 May 1904, Kentani, Cape Colony - 1 July 1992, Kenilworth, Cape Town) was a South African jurist who served as the 13th Chief Justice of South Africa, from 1971 to 1974.

Early life and education

Thompson was born in Kentani in the Cape Colony. His father, also named Newton Ogilvie, was a magistrate in the Transkei. Thompson was educated at St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown and later at the University of Cape Town where obtained a B.A. and an LL.B. (with distinction) in 1924. In 1923, he captained the under-19A rugby team, which won the Western Province Union Shield. a leading case on iniuria and the right to privacy and was commended by the Judge-President for having "ably represented the accused".

In 1944, he took silk as a King's Counsel. By this time, his practice was one of the biggest at the Cape Bar. Two years later, in September 1946, he accepted, along with his brother, an appointment as an acting judge on the Cape Provincial Division. In January 1949, his appointment became a permanent one. which at the time was the longest appeal case heard by the Appellate Division.

Thompson became Chief Justice in 1971 when Lucas Steyn (only six months older than Thompson) retired early. and from the University of Cape Town in 1974.

He died in Kenilworth, Cape Town in 1992, leaving his wife, Eve, and children, Julian and Virginia.

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