Who Doesn’t Love Lord Denning?

I believe that it is an untold law student requirement that, you must fall just a little bit in love with Lord Denning. I bet you’ve Googled him, right? Who wouldn’t, the man is a legal legend! ‘Tom’ Denning, at the time of his death in 1999 (at the ripe old age of 100), was (and still is!) the most celebrated judge of the 20th century. Described as a rebel, an activist, and a saviour for ordinary folk like you and I, Lord Denning has left his mark on budding lawyers throughout the UK. Most students note his witty remarks and landmark judgements, especially so in contract law. Remember Olley v Marlbrough Court, Entores v Miles, Mitchell v Finney Lock Seeds? I’m not sure about you, but I am yet to learn of another judge who opens a judgement with a Lewis Carroll quote. Not to be outdone by contract law, his presence is still felt within a constitutional sense. Back in May, new Justice Secretary Michael Gove famously quoted the words of Lord Denning whilst swearing his oath to protect the Rule of Law.

Lord ‘Tom’ Denning obtained a first class Maths degree and became a Maths tutor, before embarking on his legal profession. His passion for human rights led to the controversial judgements, that as students, we know and love. He is an author, the ‘housewives champion’, favoured the return of the death penalty; and opposed the incorporation of the ECHR into English law.

His lack of discretion made the news in several instances, something that seems to make him more endearing to us budding lawyers.

I often wonder: if I could bring someone back from the grave for one last conversation, who would it be? Twelve months ago I may have favoured the likes of Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson, maybe even Henry VIII. But imagine the tales the “rebel judge’ would have to tell. I do, in my law-geek sense, rather wish I could have met such an inspirational man.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/mar/06/claredyer1

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/19/michael-gove-sworn-in-lord-chancellor

‘Lord Denning: a biography’ publication review, John Stephenson

Mitchell v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd, [1983] Q.B. 284

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