The Members of Coram Chambers were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Sir James Munby.
Many of us had the privilege to appear before him, when he was sitting as a High Court Judge and, ultimately, President of the Family Division.
Sir James enjoyed a luminous career at the Bar before his elevation to the Bench. In both roles he was well known, in equal measure, for his remarkable intellect and his extremely hard work. He was the very best of judges. He was conspicuously fair, courteous, thoroughly well-versed in the case, imaginative, interested and open to persuasion. Above all else, he was imbued with that most precious of virtues: kindness.
Sir James’ concern for the disadvantaged in society and his capacity for rooting out injustice were, perhaps, best exemplified in his 2017 judgment when he referred to the lack of support services for children and young people with particular difficulties, as “a well-known scandal … disgraceful and utterly shaming”.
He continued to raise this issue publicly in a retirement that has been all too short. We wish to pass on our condolences to the family of Sir James. May he rest in peace.
