Courtenay Griffiths KC, our former colleague, sadly passed away this week. All of us at Garden Court offer our deepest condolences to his family.
A true legend, titan, and icon, Courtenay inspired so many of us to come to the Bar and join Garden Court Chambers.
Courtenay was called to the Bar in 1980, took Silk in 1998 and was joint Head of Garden Court from 1999 to 2012, where he worked for some 30 years.
Over his career, Courtenay acted in some of the most high-profile and complex criminal cases of our time. Revered for his formidable advocacy and devastating cross examination, he was a highly respected international advocate, instructed all over the world.
At Garden Court, he is remembered for paving the way for Black lawyers. It is difficult to overstate the inspiration it gave aspiring and young Black lawyers to see Courtenay achieve so much and to go toe-to-toe with establishment racism and injustice almost every day, particularly at a time when Black barristers were an even smaller minority.
Whether as a pupil supervisor, mentor, colleague or friend, Courtenay was generous with his support. He understood the political and personal importance, particularly for Black advocates, of being yourself when in court, which he authoritatively insisted on doing himself.
He was also a vocal campaigner for legal aid and spoke publicly about the impact of legal aid cuts on Black and Brown clients and the high street lawyers in whom there was so much trust.
Speaking on why he believed in the importance of representing defendants so fiercely, even those who were among the most unpopular in our society, he said:
“Every person who faces prosecution is entitled to the very best defence available. Without that we would not have the high standards of justice that we do. This was one of the founding principles of Garden Court Chambers and it remains at the heart of what I and my colleagues do every day of our lives.” – Courtenay Griffiths KC, 2011
Courtenay Griffiths KC was the personification of Garden Court’s motto: “Do right. Fear no one”. He will be greatly missed.
The Guardian has published this obituary, detailing some of Courtenay’s career achievements and capturing tributes from colleagues: ‘Simply no one better’: Prominent Black UK lawyer Courtenay Griffiths dies aged 69 | Barristers | The Guardian
