Passing of Lord Hutton

The Bar of Northern Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lord Hutton and extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Lord Hutton was born in Belfast in 1931 and began his highly distinguished career at the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1954. He became QC in 1970 and was appointed to the bench in 1979, becoming Lord Chief Justice in 1988.

He became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in January 1997 and remained a Law Lord until 2003.

He was rightly described by Lord Lester as being “in that special category of judges from Northern Ireland who are especially brave and noted for their fearless independence”.

He will be greatly missed by the many colleagues at the Bar of Northern Ireland who continue to hold him in the highest esteem.