John Collins

A piece of the North Eastern Circuit died with the sad passing away of our friend and colleague John Collins after a short illness. He proved that age was no bar to practice providing you have the ability to adopt and adjust to modern methods of working which John was able to do.

John showed us that despite the pressures we are under it is possible to be business like and progressive whilst still retaining all the attributes that make us proud to be members of the bar.

John taught how humility, integrity, loyalty and friendship could survive in today’s modern world.

He was always cheerful, believed that if you were asked to take on a case you did so whether it was privately paid, legal aided or pro bono. All cases were treated the same – the small claim in Carlisle or the pro bono case which led to him winning the National Bar Pro Bono Award in 2016.

John was always willing to give advice and even after he stood down as Head of Zenith Chambers he took a keen interest in all the pupils as was always available to give them advice and guidance.

He was well respected by all the members of the bar and the Judiciary and proved that old values that are worthwhile can survive change and innovation.

I always knew during my period as Head of Zenith Chambers that whilst John was there to guide and advise me there would be no problem which could not be solved.

I wish to express my personal condolences to Sheila and her family with the thought that anyone who knew John well could not imagine him other than being involved simply in being a man learned in the law and always being ready, willing and able to help others be they colleagues, judges or members of the public. I shall miss him.

DAVID BRADSHAW

8th April 2020