ADMIRALTY BAR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Judge of the Admiralty Court ( 1838 - 1867 )
Henry Vivian Brandon, Baron Brandon of Oakbrook by Bassano (1920 -1999). Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery
In modern times, the judges drawn from the ranks of the Admiralty Bar include: Lord Brandon of Oakbrook, Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, The Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Gross, Sir Stephen Tomlinson, Sir Barry Sheen, Sir David Steel, The Hon. Mr Justice Charles Haddon-Cave and The Hon. Mr Justice Nigel Teare.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Steering Committee
- Chairman ( John Kimbell QC of Quadrant Chambers )
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Member of the Steering Committee
- Leader of the Admiralty Bar ( Presently Michael Howard QC of Quadrant Chambers )
The Admiralty Bar has traditionally elected a Leader. The Leader of the Admiralty Bar used to be an automatic Lord Chancellor's consultee for applications for silk and provided an informal link between the Bar and the Bench. In more recent times, the role has taken on a less formal dimension. The current leader of the Admiralty Bar is Michael Howard KC (1999 - ). Previous Leaders of the Admiralty Bar include John Naisby QC (to 1968), Barry Sheen QC (1968 - 1978), Gerald Darling QC (1978 - 1985) and John Willmer QC (1985 -1991), Geoffrey Brice QC (1991 - 1999).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Steering Committee
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Steering Committee
- Secretary / Vice - Chair ( Richard Sarll of 7KBW Chambers )
Until the late 1960s there was an annual dinner hosted by the Admiralty Bar and Trinity House (in alternate years). The speech of Sir Gordon Willmer given at the dinner in 1969 gives a flavour of these events and a portrait of the Admiralty Bar before the Second War. The last such dinner was held in 2009. Michael Howard's speech on that occasion can be found here.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Steering Committee