Chambers is sorry to announce the passing of Anthony Berry K.C.
Anthony died on 1st October, following an illness which, uncharacteristically, he was unable to defeat.
Anthony was an early Secretary of the CBA. He fought tenaciously for the interests of the Association’s members and placed it firmly in the public eye. He led the struggle for better recompense for the criminal bar and gave no quarter to those he had to negotiate with, arguing the case with tenacity and in the face of political and official obduracy.
He joined John Hazan’s chambers at 4 Brick Court at an early stage of his career, rapidly forging a successful practice as a junior and taking silk at an early age and making homicide a speciality. In 2000, upon the appointment of Anne Rafferty to the High Court Bench, he became head of chambers and oversaw the move to premises at 9 Bedford Row. He held that position for an unparalleled 16 years, taking chambers to a prominent position as a criminal set and securing the respect and affection of its members.
He was honoured to be elected a Bencher of Gray’s, a mark of his loyalty to the Inn.
He will be remembered widely for the amplitude of his character, his characteristic humour, his gift of impeccable mimicry, his unfailing recognition of the absurd and the laughter that he brought into people’s lives in robing rooms and messes across the country.
Privately, he was devoted to his wife Susan, their four children and his grandchildren. They have suffered a devastating loss.