*/
Lord Dyson urged the country to guard against the ‘xenophobia and dangerous forces of hate’ unleashed in the wake of the EU referendum.
In his valedictory speech as he stood down as Master of the Rolls, he expressed ‘deep gratitude’ to ‘this tolerant country’ for allowing his forbears to settle here and for giving him and his family the opportunity to flourish.
‘I fervently hope that the events of recent weeks have not put that tolerance at risk,’ he said. ‘I have great faith in the fair-mindedness of the British people and believe that their tolerance will continue to shine through.’
His Jewish parents were migrants from Lithuania and Bulgaria and his maternal grandmother spent six months in the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen Belsen.
‘I keenly regret that my parents are not here today. Even at my age, I would have liked to bring them my achievements for their approval,’ he said.
Dyson expressed the importance of maintaining the rule of law, particularly as ‘the executive arrogates to itself more and more powers’.
He thanked his private secretary, Peter Farr, and judicial colleagues, but reserved his greatest thanks for his wife, Jackie, whom he called ‘my rock of support and my life mate’.
‘I do not intend to retire to cultivate my garden. I plan to be quite busy. But I do hope to be able to spend more time with her,’ he said.
Lord Dyson urged the country to guard against the ‘xenophobia and dangerous forces of hate’ unleashed in the wake of the EU referendum.
In his valedictory speech as he stood down as Master of the Rolls, he expressed ‘deep gratitude’ to ‘this tolerant country’ for allowing his forbears to settle here and for giving him and his family the opportunity to flourish.
‘I fervently hope that the events of recent weeks have not put that tolerance at risk,’ he said. ‘I have great faith in the fair-mindedness of the British people and believe that their tolerance will continue to shine through.’
His Jewish parents were migrants from Lithuania and Bulgaria and his maternal grandmother spent six months in the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen Belsen.
‘I keenly regret that my parents are not here today. Even at my age, I would have liked to bring them my achievements for their approval,’ he said.
Dyson expressed the importance of maintaining the rule of law, particularly as ‘the executive arrogates to itself more and more powers’.
He thanked his private secretary, Peter Farr, and judicial colleagues, but reserved his greatest thanks for his wife, Jackie, whom he called ‘my rock of support and my life mate’.
‘I do not intend to retire to cultivate my garden. I plan to be quite busy. But I do hope to be able to spend more time with her,’ he said.
Efforts continue on gender equality, support for the Bar, meaningful reform for the sector and advocating for the rule of law
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Leading drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow as part of its Giving Back campaign
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel