Paul Hungerford Thompson StB’72
26th March 1954 – 10th August 2021 Obituary
Having initially qualified as a planning barrister, Paul became a partner and ‘Roll A’ Parliamentary Agent at Bircham Dyson Bell in 1982 which he merged with Bircham & Co in 1990, now part of BDB Pitmans LLP. He retired in 2015. His practice involved promoting private bills in the UK Parliament as well as advising on parliamentary and legislative matters. Latterly, as private legislation fell away, he spent most of his time on major infrastructure projects, such as transport public enquiries for Manchester Metrolink and others. Highlights of his career included helping establish a Euro and UK lobbying practice for his firm and leading the way on the Transport Works Order work and Development Consent Order work which eventually replaced Private Bills.
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aul will be remembered by family, friends and colleagues alike for his sparkling wit, acuity of mind and kindness.
He spent his early years in the Surrey Hills. After Ladycross Preparatory School in Seaford, he continued to Worth in 1967, leaving in 1972. During his time there he experienced a taste of monastic life along with four other Worthians, by stepping into the shoes of Benedictine monks for a week. In his last year he played the part of Messerschman in a production of Jean Anouilh’s play Ring around the Moon.
He was passionate about the Law and the impact his work had on society. A major client on hearing of Paul’s death remarked “he changed my view of what law can be used for… he left me with a much better understanding of what can be achieved by a few good people”. Having endured and recovered from head and neck cancer a few years ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, which he bore with great courage. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was married to Jacquie for forty-two years, has two sons and three grandchildren. The Thompson Family
Before starting a Law degree at Liverpool University in 1973, Paul travelled overland in an old army truck with others to Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal; an experience that always remained with him.
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