Agenda item

Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials, etc.

Minutes:

Resolved Unanimously:- That, upon his retirement from the office of The Recorder of London, this Court wishes to express to The Honourable Mr Justice Hilliard, its sincere appreciation of his services to the City of London Corporation and to the public he has served with commitment, energy and expertise.

 

Called to the Bar in 1981, as a barrister Nicholas was Junior and Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court before taking Silk in 2008.  He specialised in serious criminal cases and inquests and, amongst others, was involved in the inquests into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Jean Charles de Menezes. He was Chair of the Criminal Bar Association and Leader of the South Eastern Circuit.  Having served for two periods on Common Council for the Ward of Farringdon Without, firstly between 1994 and 1996, and later between 2005 and 2009, Nicholas was no stranger to the inner workings of the City Corporation when, in 2013, he came to the Old Bailey as Common Serjeant before being appointed as Recorder of London in 2015: both appointments reflective of his illustrious legal career.

 

Since his arrival at the Old Bailey, he has overseen a very significant transformation of the judicial team and of the work that is done at the Old Bailey. There is now a more diverse team of judges than hitherto and the Old Bailey is once again dealing with the most high-profile and serious criminal cases, as well as with some inquests, several of which Nicholas conducted in his capacity as Deputy Coroner.

 

As well as carrying out the many ceremonial duties of the Recorder, he successfully expanded the range of duties into a broader community role which resulted in many school and university groups, charities and community groups visiting and experiencing the Old Bailey on a frequent basis. Of note, as an active and passionate Parton of the Ben Kinsella Trust, which works to promote awareness of the effects of knife crime, Nicholas delivered regular sessions at the Old Bailey for young people thought to be at risk of becoming involved in gang and knife crime.

 

In thanking him for his service as The Recorder of London over the past five years, this Court offers The Honourable Mr Justice Hilliard and his wife Jane, who has also devoted a large amount of her own time and energy to the civic City, very good wishes for the future and great success in his new role as a High Court Judge.