Tributes have been paid to the “legendary” defence barrister Courtenay Griffiths KC, one of the first Black lawyers to achieve the prestigious queen’s counsel status in the UK, who has died at the age of 69.
Griffiths, who was born in Jamaica, was involved in some of the most notable criminal cases of his time, including the PC Keith Blakelock and Damilola Taylor murder trials and the Brighton bombing.
Inspired by the legal career of Norman Manley, the QC who went on to become Jamaican premier, Griffiths was called to the bar in 1980. In 1998 Griffiths, a graduate of the London School of Economics, was appointed as queen’s counsel, now king’s counsel, the award identifying the country’s most pre-eminent and senior lawyers.
In 2007 he represented the former Liberia president Charles Taylor in his war crimes trial in The Hague. Laurie-Anne Power KC, a barrister at 25 Bedford Row, said: “[Griffiths] epitomised brilliance, intellect and fearlessness in equal measure.
“He considered it his duty to open doors and provide opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them. He was unapologetic about changing the landscape of the bar. As an advocate, there was simply no one better.
“He commanded the attention of anyone and everyone in the courtroom. But behind the advocate was a gentle, kind, selfless man who loved the law.”
Griffiths was given an honorary doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2005. He spent most of his career at Garden Court and 25 Bedford Row chambers, and also sat as a recorder – a part-time judge.
The ITV News senior correspondent Ronke Phillips said: “To watch Courtenay Griffiths in action at the Old Bailey was compelling.
“He was a skilled advocate. Sharp, clever and, when needed, witty. Like all great barristers, he treated the courtroom as though he was the leading man in his own drama.
“His exchanges were often devastating for witnesses, but those of us on the press benches were delighted. Courtenay was charm itself. Serious about his work but never too serious to be friendly and always with a twinkle in his eye.”
In 2020 Griffiths was handed an outstanding achievement award at the Legal 500 Awards and was given a lifetime achievement award at the UK Diversity Legal Awards in 2018.
Writing on X, Jacqueline McKenzie, a solicitor and partner at the law firm Leigh Day, said: “Through his practice at Garden Court and 25 Bedford Row Chambers, he acted in major criminal and human rights cases, in the UK and overseas, and left an indelible mark of greatness on our profession, and on the world.”
Amina Graham, a barrister 2 Hare Court Chambers, wrote on LinkedIn: “He demonstrated the importance of representation for me in my pursuit of a career at the bar.
“I worked with him during my time at the Special Court for Sierra Leone where he represented Charles Taylor … a formidable advocate and an inspiration to so many.”