OBITUARY: JUDGE PAUL ATKINSON

Deputy District Judge - share his story about his grandparents’ journey to the UK. It was an important reminder of the sacrifices, hard work, determination and perseverance of our predeccesors as they sought to build the solid foundations on which we now stand tall.

In conclusion, whilst I align myself with those who posit that Black History should be taught all year round and not just during one month of the year, I also recognise that at an individual and organisational level, we all need to be aware of the positive contributions and achievements of Black people in the UK and Black History Month celebration gives us the opportunity to reflect on these.

Chimdinma Nwaigwe,

Main Committee member and member of Equality & Diversity sub board and Zainab Zaeem-Sattar, Main Committee member and Chair of Equality & Diversity sub board.

Judge Paul Atkinson died on 14th January 2023 aged 67.

Called to the Bar in 1978 and a tenant at King St Chambers he joined the Bench as a Deputy District Judge in 1997, was promoted to full time District Judge in 2000 and Recorder in 2005. He also served as Training District Judge, Appraisal District Judge and as a Mentor to junior Judges.

Judge Atkinson was regarded as unfailingly helpful to colleagues both new judicial recruits and those more experienced. To the lawyers who appeared before him he came over as a kindly, sympathetic judicial officer with a sense of humour as well as offering large doses of common sense without compromising the need for speedy resolution of cases. Once he and another Judge were by mistake given 36 hours of listed work to get through in one day they were finished by lunchtime.

We extend our sympathy to his widow Gwyneth and two daughters. The funeral has already taken place but donations can be made to Tommy’s Charity. Together, for every babyCharity for Babies Tommy’s www. tommys.org.uk