I first met Charles at the end of summer 1974. I had finished my 12 months of pupillage with Richard Headridge (then known as the Queen of the Brighton Bar) at our Chambers at 9 Old Steine, and Charles followed me as the next pupil. Perhaps Charles was a bit too fiery and spicy for Headridge’s taste, and sadly Charles was not offered tenancy. As the baby tenant myself I was in no position to influence things differently. But it all turned out for the best; had Charles been taken on it is more than possible that Chichester Chambers would not have been formed, and we would all be the poorer for that.
In all these years since 1979 it has been one of my favourite robing room stories to tell – the story of how a fearless young barrister battled against all the odds, single-handedly at first, to establish his own set. The entire Bar Establishment was against him. The London-centric Circuit looked down with great disfavour upon provincial Chambers, and their snooty disdain and opposition were palpable. Always careful to observe the proper protocols, even though he could sense that those protocols would reject him, he approached the then resident judge at Chichester Crown Court, HHJ Christopher Cunliffe (known unaffectionately to us all as the judge with the silent t) to seek his approval. Needless to say, he was met with a resounding rebuff. But we all know how Charles deals with obstacles and rebuffs! Long live Pallant Chambers, no better memorial is called for.
For the remainder of the 1970s Charles & Liz and me and my former wife Ros were the greatest of pals, playing tennis, drinking beer, visiting one another’s homes and enjoying those (relatively) carefree days of the pre-children era. Thereafter our paths took different directions and, sadly, I’ve seen virtually nothing of Charles for several decades. Very fondly remembered nonetheless.
RIP.
Nick Hall.