Obituary – Dr Gerard McCoy SBS, QC, SC,

Obituary – Dr Gerard McCoy SBS, QC, SC, BA, LLB (Vic.), M Sc (Cant.), SC By Emma Priest*

Everyone at Blackstone Chambers is devastated to learn of the death of Dr. Gerard John Xavier McCoy aged 63 (Gerry).

His family were at his side as he died in Queen Mary Hospital on Tuesday 28 April 2020. His death was peaceful, but was nevertheless a total shock both to his family, friends and the profession. He leaves family in New Zealand who are also deeply saddened. His generosity, spirit and sense of humour touched everyone he met.

His wife Sze Siu Wai, and his two children, Kim Joseph McCoy, and Zoe Margaret McCoy are heartbroken by his death and ask for privacy at this time. His family also ask that there be no flowers or other traditional kindnesses, but rather that donation be made to cancer-related charities or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hong Kong.

Gerard McCoy SC was a leading member of the Bar. His achievements were extraordinary. He was a Barrister in many jurisdictions, including New Zealand, the Supreme Court of New South Wales. of the Supreme Court of Victoria, of the High Court of Australia, of the High Court of Hong Kong, of the High Court of Fiji, of the High Court of the Isle of Man, of the English Bar (Middle Temple).

His achievements as a formidable and effective barrister are widely known. Gerry was a founder of Gilt Chambers in Hong Kong, Blackstone Chambers in Auckland and Valour Chambers in Christchurch. He was a Professor of Law at the University of Hong Kong, and an adjunct Professor of Law at Canterbury University.

Dr McCoy has also served as a Deputy Judge of the Hong Kong High Court and was on retainer to act for the government in constitutional law litigation. He was a constitutional advisor to the Fijian government, as well as leading the

prosecution against ‘mutineer’ George Speight. He also held the position as an expert in Hong Kong law in a number of jurisdictions across Asia, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

In New Zealand he will remembered for his representation of Teina Pora successfully seeking inflation on government compensation paid, and as Dotcom’s lawyer, assisting to unfreeze assets frozen by the US government.

He has authored texts on Criminal Evidence, Administrative Law and Habeas Corpus.

He was also the General editor of the NZAR, Hong Kong Cases, Law Reports, Hong Kong Public Law Reports, and Archbold: Hong Kong 2004 Criminal Law, Practice & Pleadings.

Gerry was a well-known philanthropist supporting Universities and undertaking significant probono work.

On a personal note, Gerry has been a huge support and inspiration to us at Blackstone Chambers in Auckland. He let us take the reins of Blackstone Chambers in Auckland in 2016. He loved Blackstone. His death leaves a huge gap for us individually and as a Chambers. He was the anchor. Gerry was a giant in all respects. A formidable lawyer; incredibly generous and kind; thoughtful and so much fun. He loved wine and good food. He loved to talk about law and to party. He was a role model on how to live life. He was a force and will not be forgotten. Like everyone who met Gerry, we have so many great stories which we look forward to sharing as we remember him.

The family will bring Gerry home to Christchurch when global circumstances permit for an Irish wake. Details will follow in due course.

* Emma Priest is a barrister at Blackstone Chambers. We thank Emma for writing this obituary at such a difficult time and offer our condolences to the members of Blackstone Chambers. We have written to express our sympathies to Dr McCoy’s family.

www.nzbar.org.nz

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