Background
Born in Northop, Flintshire on 17 April 1854, he was the eldest son of John Scott Bankes (1826-1896) and his first wife, Annie (1829-1876), daughter of Sir John Jervis, himself a chief justice.
Born in Northop, Flintshire on 17 April 1854, he was the eldest son of John Scott Bankes (1826-1896) and his first wife, Annie (1829-1876), daughter of Sir John Jervis, himself a chief justice.
He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he rowed for Oxford University Boat Club.
Called to the Bar in 1878, he took silk in 1901. Whilst on the bench, he was often referred to as J.Eldon Bankes. In 1910 he became a judge of the High Court, and in 1915 a Lord Justice of Appeal and a Privy Councillor.
He retired from the bench in 1927.
He unsuccessfully fought for one of the Flintshire constituencies in 1906. On the death of his father, he inherited the family home of Soughton Hall, Flintshire.
In 1921 Bankes was made an honorary Doctor of Laws of the University of Wales.
Bankes was chairman of Quarter Sessions in Flintshire for 33 years, and as a Tory an active member of Flintshire County Council, of which he was chairman in 1933.
Spouse 1882, Edith, daughter of Robert Peel Ethelston.