Agenda item

Congratulatory resolutions:

Resolved unanimously - that the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to Alderman Sir David Wootton on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as Knight Bachelor for services to legal business, charity and the City of London; to His Honour Judge Peter John Luther Beaumont CBE, QC, the retiring Recorder of London, on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the administration of justice; and also to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Martin, MBE, the recently retired Swordbearer, on his appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the City of London Corporation.

Vote of Thanks to His Hon Judge Peter Beaumont, CBE, QC (Recorder of London):

Resolved unanimously – that, upon the retirement of His Honour Judge Peter Beaumont QC, the members of this Court wish to express their sincere gratitude for the service he has given to the Corporation and to this Court.  Today marks the end of a substantial and significant period of service to both the City and to the administration of justice, and thanks of the highest order are due.  Peter served as Common Serjeant from 2001 until the untimely death of H.H. Judge Michael Hyam.  Appointed to the office of Recorder in 2004, he has served through a period of change and ever increasingly complexities.

As a barrister he developed a busy criminal practice mainly in East Anglia and swiftly rose to the rank of Q.C.  His judicial abilities were soon realised by his appointment as a Circuit Judge 1989 to sit at Chelmsford, but they were unable to keep him for long and he arrived at the Central Criminal Court in 1995.  His judicial career has been marked by calm, care and preparation and he has presided over many difficult and well publicised cases.  At the same time he has carried a heavy administrative burden dealing with the many problems arising from such a busy and high profile court.  All this was handled with authority, wisdom and good sense.  He also found time to be Chairman of the Governors of Felsted School, to be Director of the Judicial Studies Board Criminal Refresher Seminars and a member of the Sentencing Guidelines Council.

Peter’s service to the City and to the Aldermanic Court will be well known to us all.  Ranging from his addresses to visiting Heads of State in the Guildhall to giving shrewd advice on all matters Civic.  He was always available and always helpful.  His devotion to duty left him little time for much else.  But a new home and a new garden, grandchildren and improving his golf handicap will present him with challenges to which he will undoubtedly rise.  Additionally his links with the City will remain when he succeeds as the next Master of the Worshipful Company of Loriners.  He has been a good friend to the City and to all of us.  Ashas been said before, ‘he will be a hard act to follow’. We also acknowledge, and are grateful for, the tremendous support and contribution of Annie; and we wish them both well as they embark on their next chapter.

His Honour Judge Peter Beaumont QC replied in suitable terms.