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Tributes have been paid to the former President of the Family Division, Sir Nicholas Wall, following his family’s announcement of his death.
A notice in The Times newspaper said he ‘died by his own hand on 17 February 2017’. It added: ‘After years of suffering, he was recently diagnosed with a rare dementia of the fronto-temporal lobe.’
The notice included a verse from Tennyson’s poem Tithonus: ‘The woods decay, the woods decay and fall. The vapours weep their burthen to the ground. Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath. And after many a summer dies the swan.’
His successor, Sir James Munby, said: ‘On and off the bench, and to the wide admiration of those who practise in family law, Sir Nicholas often spoke with passion, and in plain language, about the importance of family life, the good practice of family law, and the proper administration and resourcing of family justice.
‘He was appropriately outspoken about the plight of children caught up in the midst of parental conflict. He expressed his deep concern again and again about the impact of domestic abuse on children and on family life.
‘Sir Nicholas’ life was one of very great achievement and he has left us a formidable and enduring legacy.’
Sir Nicholas was called to the Bar in 1969, appointed a High Court Judge in 1993, to the Court of Appeal and Privy Council in 2004 and became President of the Family Division in 2010. He was 71.
Tributes have been paid to the former President of the Family Division, Sir Nicholas Wall, following his family’s announcement of his death.
A notice in The Times newspaper said he ‘died by his own hand on 17 February 2017’. It added: ‘After years of suffering, he was recently diagnosed with a rare dementia of the fronto-temporal lobe.’
The notice included a verse from Tennyson’s poem Tithonus: ‘The woods decay, the woods decay and fall. The vapours weep their burthen to the ground. Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath. And after many a summer dies the swan.’
His successor, Sir James Munby, said: ‘On and off the bench, and to the wide admiration of those who practise in family law, Sir Nicholas often spoke with passion, and in plain language, about the importance of family life, the good practice of family law, and the proper administration and resourcing of family justice.
‘He was appropriately outspoken about the plight of children caught up in the midst of parental conflict. He expressed his deep concern again and again about the impact of domestic abuse on children and on family life.
‘Sir Nicholas’ life was one of very great achievement and he has left us a formidable and enduring legacy.’
Sir Nicholas was called to the Bar in 1969, appointed a High Court Judge in 1993, to the Court of Appeal and Privy Council in 2004 and became President of the Family Division in 2010. He was 71.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
