Dear All,
This is the saddest of news I am afraid. In the early hours of this morning, His Honour David Lynch passed away, aged 84.
David was a proud son of Liverpool. He left school aged 15 to work in a solicitor’s office. After a period in the forces and study combined with work, he was called to the Bar in 1968. He was in practice at North House chambers which became Martins Buildings until he was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1990 up until his retirement in 2005. He was a Bencher of Middle Temple.
These are mere biographical details. David was an understated great of the Circuit. I do not say so lightly.
He held a huge affection for the Circuit and that affection was returned in equal measure. Many of you will possess a volume or volumes of his Northern Circuit Directory. I have no idea how Leaders of the Circuit ever managed without it. His work on compiling that directory was simply remarkable. But it is for his wise counsel that I have most reason to be grateful. Such was his knowledge of, and affection for, the Circuit his view on things was invariably right.
It has been a delight to have often had him sitting somewhere on the table near to me at many of the Messes that have been held recently. Occasionally the AG and I have to fight over who gets him on their table. I know that if my predecessor, Lisa, was also present, I would be in serious trouble from both David and Lisa if they were not sitting in close proximity to each other.
After retirement he commenced study once again, working his way towards a PhD in United States Legal History. Such was his connection with Liverpool John Moore’s University they recently named their moot courtroom in his honour.
David lost his beloved wife Ann in 2023. Our condolences to his sons Christopher and Peter, and his grandchildren.
As I say, a true great of the Circuit. And his greatness lay comfortably alongside his kindness and his geniality.
He will be much missed.
Regards
Jaime