Agenda item

Resolved Unanimously:-That, That, on the occasion of his retirement, Members of this Court take great pleasure in conveying to:

PAUL DOUBLE, CVO

their gratitude and sincere appreciation for the distinguished manner in which he has carried out the role of Remembrancer of the City of London over the past twenty years.

Paul first joined the Corporation in 1985 as Counsel to the City Remembrancer. He was Assistant Remembrancer 1994-1998 and Director of the Office from 1998-2003. He was elected as the City’s 45th Remembrancer in July 2002 and took office the following January. Over the course of the past two decades, his stewardship of this unique and ancient role has covered a plethora of significant and indeed historic events.. The City Remembrancer is the official channel of communication between the City, the Royal Households, Parliament and the London Diplomatic Corps – something that Paul has fulfilled with great professionalism, level-headedness but also good humour and kindness.

Paul studied at the Universities of Bristol and Aston, and at University College, London. He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1981 and became a Bencher in 2017. Paul has been a Freeman of the City of London since 1985. Between 1983 and 1997 he was a visiting lecturer for London University's undergraduate law programmes. He became the City’s Parliamentary Agent in 2004 and has served as consulting editor for Halsbury's Laws of England on London Government and, as an active member of the Financial Markets Law Committee, has developed strong and enduring links with the legal sector.

Paul’s time at the Corporation has spanned thirty-eight Lord Mayors, nine UK Prime Ministers and two Monarchs – a period, therefore, of much change. There is scarcely any part of the Corporation that hasn’t benefitted from legislative change during Paul’s time at Guildhall but perhaps one of his greatest achievements was the City of London (Ward Elections) Act 2002 which extended the franchise for City elections. Paul will also have a continuing role to play in the promotion of the City of London (Markets) Bill that is currently making its way through the House of Commons. Also notable among Paul’s achievements during his time here was his directorship of the Global Law Summit held in London in 2015 to coincide with the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta – the very document that enshrined the City of London’s already-ancient liberties.

Paul’s tenure has also seen much celebration and pageantry. Paul has overseen numerous Lord Mayor’s Shows and Lord Mayor’s Banquets, multiple State Banquets and many other occasions that have put the City of London on centre stage nationally and internationally. Under Paul’s direction, the City Corporation celebrated Her Late Majesty’s 80th and 90th Birthdays and played its joyous part in the Diamond and Platinum Jubilees.  More sombrely of course, Paul joined this Court in the Proclamation of our new King on the steps of the Royal Exchange. Paul’s appointment as a Commander in the Royal Victorian Order this year, following his earlier appointment as a Lieutenant of the same Order in 2012, illustrates the esteem in which he is held. This Court owes Paul a debt of gratitude for his dedication to strengthening this City’s links with the Royal Household and the Diplomatic Corps.

The Aldermen very much welcome this opportunity to pay a personal and sincere tribute to Paul for his significant contribution to the work of this Court, his wise counsel and for the extremely capable way in which he has carried out the role of City Remembrancer over the past twenty years.  They warmly express the hope that he will enjoy a long and happy retirement and, with his wife Glynis and their wider family, will have fond memories of his time spent with the City of London Corporation.