20 May 2016 · LawTalk 888
Boy, Labour MP 1945-1950, QC, counsel in any number of civil, commercial and criminal cases (memorably in the last category for one of the great train robbers and for the Krays) and six sons (one of whom, Mark Platts-Mills QC, followed his father to Balliol and is now the distinguished head of the intellectual property set at 8 New Square). From 1936 onwards father and son account for the staggering number of 98 cases in the All England Reports, and 54 in the Weekly Law Reports – probably a record unparalleled in English legal history. JPM’s prodigious physical and mental prowess remained remarkable to the end. In his 90s he produced a riveting 657-page account of his personal, professional and political adventures. In the prologue he wrote, with a characteristic self-depreciation: “It is said that history is written by the winners. Mine is a footnote to a loser’s history for beginners.” Michael Mansfield QC, the well-known criminal silk who was once his pupil, more aptly described the autobiography as “… a contemporary history of our times … a remarkable and compelling account of groundbreaking events chronicled by someone who played an active role in them …” From whence shall come another? John McLinden QC is a trial and appellate advocate and a member of Field Court Chambers in London. He took silk in 2011.
Seven of the New Zealanders practising at the English bar (from left) James Ruddell, Malcolm Birdling, Catherine Callaghan, John McLinden QC, Stephen Jagusch, Graham Eklund QC and Paul Key QC.
2011 after having completed his pupillage. Geoff Sharp, one of the southern hemisphere’s pre-eminent mediators, is also a door tenant. There are many other magic circle and leading sets to which Kiwis have found their way. These include Fountain Court (Richard Coleman QC and Craig Ulyatt, and where Auckland University’s Professor Peter Watts QC is a door tenant), Blackstone (Catherine Callaghan and Eesvan Krishnan), 4 New Square (Graham Eklund QC), Doughty Street (David Hislop QC) Essex Court (Paul Key QC, where Victoria University’s Professor Campbell McLachlan QC is also a door tenant), One Essex Court (Henry Forbes Smith and James Ruddell), 7 King’s Bench Walk (Tim Jenns), 39 Essex Street (David Mayhew) and 20 Essex Street (Penelope Neville). Practice anywhere as a barrister offers an exciting and privileged life. This is especially so in London because it is a world forum for litigation and dispute resolution. For a Kiwi to get a place at that table is now as difficult as qualifying for an Olympic final – demonstrated by the fact that there
are still only 20 something New Zealanders among the 16,000 at the English bar. Yet in recent years, despite the daunting odds, Kiwis have demonstrated their excellence by establishing themselves as barristers in growing numbers. James Ruddell, currently undergoing his pupillage, exemplifies the outstanding qualities of these candidates. His distinctions include Senior Scholar in arts and law at Auckland University, the FMB Reynolds, John Morris and Peter Birks prizes at Oxford, capped by the 2014 Vinerian Scholarship (first in year in BCL) – the last accomplishment repeating Henry Forbes Smith’s feat in 1998.
The last word Perhaps the last word should go to the old and not the new. John Faithful Fortescue Platts-Mills QC set benchmarks that are unlikely to be eclipsed. Born in Wellington in 1906, he embarked on a Rhodes scholarship to Balliol after garnering a double first and any number of blues at Victoria University College. Subsequently BCL, barrister, Bevin
Father and son John and George Swan at Girdler’s on 28 April.
Wellington solicitor John Swan, of Swan Legal, was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Girdler’s Company at a ceremony in London on 28 April. The Girdler’s is one of the City of London’s livery companies (www.girdlers. co.uk/). The Girdler’s Company has a long history of providing valuable scholarships to New Zealanders to enable them to obtain undergraduate degrees at Oxbridge. These are not infrequently awarded to young Kiwis who study law. Richard Coleman QC and George Swan, the son of John Swan, are two such beneficiaries. George Swan is a partner at Freshfields.
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