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Timothy James Dutton CBE KC was known across the profession as an outstanding advocate, a dedicated public servant and a man of the utmost integrity. He was also a loyal and loving friend to many of us
The doyen of the professional discipline and regulatory Bar, Tim combined practising at the top of the profession with an extraordinary range of leadership roles including Chairman of the Bar, Leader of the South Eastern Circuit, Founder and Course of Director of the South Eastern Circuit’s Advanced International Advocacy Course (now named in his honour), Founder of the Bar Choral Society, Chairman of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and Head of Fountain Court Chambers. It was entirely fitting that, in 2015, he should receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and be invested as a Commander of the British Empire for his contribution to legal services.
As a teenager, life appeared to be plain sailing: straights As, popular, good at tennis, a qualified skipper, fluent in French, a choral scholar and a virtuoso French horn player. Then, at the age of 17, came the adversity that would shape his entire approach to life. He spent several months in hospital following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. He was told he would be insulin-dependent for the rest of his life and would have to administer as many as five injections and 18 blood sugar tests a day. Rather than allowing fearfulness or self-pity to set in, Tim became determined that every day would be lived as if it were his last, and so it was.
Never impatient, pompous or grand (as his status might have permitted), Tim was the embodiment of humility and kindness. A compassionate listener, he was hugely supportive of junior barristers. Anyone who benefitted from his ear and generosity will long feel the resonance of his loss. His concern for the welfare of others explains why, of all his achievements, he was most proud of the establishment of the Dutton Keble Course and the Bar Choral Society. They both aimed to nurture talent, promote excellence and provide barristers with a sense of belonging to a professional community.
Tim’s integrity, selfless service and affable nature garnered respect from the judiciary, his solicitors and colleagues alike. His skills as an advocate were of the highest order; his mellifluous voice and surgical accuracy delivered devastating performances in court. This made him a formidable opponent, but he was also a highly agreeable one who he wore his professional success lightly and was always friendly and fair.
When Tim was diagnosed with motor neurone disease on 4 August 2014, he was asked whether there was anything he would like to see or do. He simply said ‘no’. He resolved on continuing to live and thrive as before, and committed himself to his family, to his busy practice and to adventure. With the determination that was stamped on his character, he practised until January of this year. He did not lose his keen sense of humour, even commenting after a series of appearances in the Supreme Court that MND had been good for his practice (‘my career advice: get yourself a diagnosis!’). Until the very end, Tim maintained his joie de vivre and with each progression of the illness found new ways to make the most of the life left to him, while always lifting the spirits of others. The lessons we take from Tim’s life are to never take life for granted, to enjoy what life has to offer no matter what your circumstances, and always to do the best you can for yourself, for your family, for your friends and for your community.
Tribute by Pia Dutton and Richard Coleman KC
Pia Dutton is Tim’s daughter and a barrister at 3 Verulam Buildings specialising in banking, commercial disputes and professional negligence.
Richard Coleman KC is a leading practitioner in commercial dispute resolution, financial services, administrative and public law and professional discipline practising from Fountain Court Chambers.
The doyen of the professional discipline and regulatory Bar, Tim combined practising at the top of the profession with an extraordinary range of leadership roles including Chairman of the Bar, Leader of the South Eastern Circuit, Founder and Course of Director of the South Eastern Circuit’s Advanced International Advocacy Course (now named in his honour), Founder of the Bar Choral Society, Chairman of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and Head of Fountain Court Chambers. It was entirely fitting that, in 2015, he should receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and be invested as a Commander of the British Empire for his contribution to legal services.
As a teenager, life appeared to be plain sailing: straights As, popular, good at tennis, a qualified skipper, fluent in French, a choral scholar and a virtuoso French horn player. Then, at the age of 17, came the adversity that would shape his entire approach to life. He spent several months in hospital following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. He was told he would be insulin-dependent for the rest of his life and would have to administer as many as five injections and 18 blood sugar tests a day. Rather than allowing fearfulness or self-pity to set in, Tim became determined that every day would be lived as if it were his last, and so it was.
Never impatient, pompous or grand (as his status might have permitted), Tim was the embodiment of humility and kindness. A compassionate listener, he was hugely supportive of junior barristers. Anyone who benefitted from his ear and generosity will long feel the resonance of his loss. His concern for the welfare of others explains why, of all his achievements, he was most proud of the establishment of the Dutton Keble Course and the Bar Choral Society. They both aimed to nurture talent, promote excellence and provide barristers with a sense of belonging to a professional community.
Tim’s integrity, selfless service and affable nature garnered respect from the judiciary, his solicitors and colleagues alike. His skills as an advocate were of the highest order; his mellifluous voice and surgical accuracy delivered devastating performances in court. This made him a formidable opponent, but he was also a highly agreeable one who he wore his professional success lightly and was always friendly and fair.
When Tim was diagnosed with motor neurone disease on 4 August 2014, he was asked whether there was anything he would like to see or do. He simply said ‘no’. He resolved on continuing to live and thrive as before, and committed himself to his family, to his busy practice and to adventure. With the determination that was stamped on his character, he practised until January of this year. He did not lose his keen sense of humour, even commenting after a series of appearances in the Supreme Court that MND had been good for his practice (‘my career advice: get yourself a diagnosis!’). Until the very end, Tim maintained his joie de vivre and with each progression of the illness found new ways to make the most of the life left to him, while always lifting the spirits of others. The lessons we take from Tim’s life are to never take life for granted, to enjoy what life has to offer no matter what your circumstances, and always to do the best you can for yourself, for your family, for your friends and for your community.
Tribute by Pia Dutton and Richard Coleman KC
Pia Dutton is Tim’s daughter and a barrister at 3 Verulam Buildings specialising in banking, commercial disputes and professional negligence.
Richard Coleman KC is a leading practitioner in commercial dispute resolution, financial services, administrative and public law and professional discipline practising from Fountain Court Chambers.
Timothy James Dutton CBE KC was known across the profession as an outstanding advocate, a dedicated public servant and a man of the utmost integrity. He was also a loyal and loving friend to many of us
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