Sir Henry Brooke, 1936—2018

Tributes have begun to pour in for retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Henry Brooke, who passed away on 30 January 2018 at the age of 81. Brooke took silk in 1981, was appointed to the High Court bench in 1988 and became an appeal court judge in 1996 until his retirement in 2006. Called an ‘indefatigable campaigner for access to justice’, his achievements include his role in establishing BAILII, and acting as vice-chair of the Bach Commission. He was also emeritus president of the Slynn Foundation, promoting the rule of law and human rights around the world, and the patron of nine legal charities including Prisoners Abroad and Law for Life. Chair of the Bar Andrew Walker QC said: ‘Sir Henry's was a lifelong commitment to the rule of law and access to justice in our society. The way in which he managed to follow a long and distinguished career at the Bar and on the bench with a tireless and selfless devotion to those causes throughout his retirement was truly inspirational. He cared; and it showed.’