*/
The trailblazing barrister, Sir Louis Blom-Cooper QC, who championed prison reform and campaigned against the death sentence, has died aged 92.
The son of a fruit and vegetables trader, he was born in London, studied law at King’s College London, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and the Municipal University of Amsterdam, where he obtained a doctorate in 1954.
He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1952, took Silk in 1970 and was knighted in 1992. During the 1970s and 80s he was head of Goldsmiths Chambers before moving to Doughty Street Chambers on its foundation.
Among his notable cases, in 1983 he represented Stephen Raymond in the landmark House of Lords case of Raymond v Honey, which established the right of convicted prisoners to have access to the courts and sue the prison authorities without first seeking the authorities’ permission.
While his efforts in 1976 to save the life of revolutionary Michael de Freitas, arguing that the imposition of the death penalty after long delay in Trinidad was unconstitutional, were unsuccessful, they laid the foundation for Geoffrey Robertson’s successful argument in the case of Pratt v Morgan in 1994.
Geoffrey Robertson QC, joint head of Doughty Street Chambers, described him as ‘one of the most intellectually brilliantcounselin the last half-century’.
He said: ‘He will be remembered by leaders of today’s Bar as one who inspired them to work in human rights at a time, in the 70s and 80s, when this was looked down on by a reactionary profession.’
In his obituary in The Guardian, Edward Fitzgerald QC, the other joint head of Doughty Street Chambers, praised him as a ‘fearless legal trailblazer and pioneer’ and a ‘courageous advocate’.
‘Popular and gregarious, Louis was as likely to have a meal with an ex-prisoner as a law lord,’ he wrote.
The trailblazing barrister, Sir Louis Blom-Cooper QC, who championed prison reform and campaigned against the death sentence, has died aged 92.
The son of a fruit and vegetables trader, he was born in London, studied law at King’s College London, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and the Municipal University of Amsterdam, where he obtained a doctorate in 1954.
He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1952, took Silk in 1970 and was knighted in 1992. During the 1970s and 80s he was head of Goldsmiths Chambers before moving to Doughty Street Chambers on its foundation.
Among his notable cases, in 1983 he represented Stephen Raymond in the landmark House of Lords case of Raymond v Honey, which established the right of convicted prisoners to have access to the courts and sue the prison authorities without first seeking the authorities’ permission.
While his efforts in 1976 to save the life of revolutionary Michael de Freitas, arguing that the imposition of the death penalty after long delay in Trinidad was unconstitutional, were unsuccessful, they laid the foundation for Geoffrey Robertson’s successful argument in the case of Pratt v Morgan in 1994.
Geoffrey Robertson QC, joint head of Doughty Street Chambers, described him as ‘one of the most intellectually brilliantcounselin the last half-century’.
He said: ‘He will be remembered by leaders of today’s Bar as one who inspired them to work in human rights at a time, in the 70s and 80s, when this was looked down on by a reactionary profession.’
In his obituary in The Guardian, Edward Fitzgerald QC, the other joint head of Doughty Street Chambers, praised him as a ‘fearless legal trailblazer and pioneer’ and a ‘courageous advocate’.
‘Popular and gregarious, Louis was as likely to have a meal with an ex-prisoner as a law lord,’ he wrote.
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
Following the launch of the Life at the Young Bar report and a nationwide listening exercise, Michael Polak and Michael Harwood outline the Young Barristers Committees raft of initiatives designed to address your issues of concern
