James Reynolds

Who was James Reynolds?

Sir James Reynolds was an English judge who had a distinguished career in both Ireland and England, holding the office of Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas and later Baron of the Exchequer in England. He should not be confused with his close relative Sir James Reynolds, Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

He was born at Helions Bumpstead in Essex, son of Robert Reynolds and Kezia Tyrrell. He was educated at Eton College and Peterhouse College, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1703. He entered Lincoln's Inn in 1705 and was called to the Bar in 1712.

After only fourteen years practice he was spoken of for a senior position in Ireland. The first suggestion was Irish Chief Baron but in the event he became Chief Justice of Common Pleas in 1727. According to Foss, he gave general satisfaction; certainly he was highly praised for his conduct of a much-publicised murder trial in 1731 when a student of Trinity College Dublin was charged with abetting the murder of a watchman. After an "excellent and impartial" charge by the judge the student was acquitted, to general public approval.