David Nowell Barnard

David Barnard, who died on 3rd January 2023, arrived at Queens' in 1963 to study Law. As an undergraduate, he was an active member of the Saint Barnard's Society (debating), Queens' Bench (law), and the Dean's reading groups.

By the time David arrived at the College, he already knew that he wanted to be called to the Bar although none of his family, who were Welsh on his mother's side, had any connection with the profession.

He was named after his maternal Uncle who was a school teacher, accomplished painter and, after 1946 when it was revived, a member of the world famous Treorchy Male Voice Choir in the Rhondda Valley. Four of the Choir's choral pieces were played at David's recent cremation service. 

David was not, however, a professional Welshman (his father came from Tottenham and spent the War helping to develop and test radar equipment). Rather he was a Gray's Inn man to his finger tips being called at the Inn in 1967. Thereafter the rest of his life was devoted to the profession and more particularly to service of the Inn where he lived for 47 years at Raymond Buildings. He was appointed a Bencher of Gray's ( a member of the governing body of the Society) in 1997.

His career at the Bar flourished. He acted regularly for the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office culminating in his appointment as Standing Counsel on the Attorney General's Unified List of Prosecuting Advocates. He also opened his own Chambers in 1980 situated in Gray's Inn Square. As this enterprise prospered, the Chambers moved to its Georgian town house location at 33, Bedford Row, London in 1994 where it continues to thrive. The previous year he was appointed to sit as a Recorder in both Civil and Criminal cases.

David lectured for many years at the Inns of Court School of Law in Gray's Inn Place where he was Reader in Civil and Criminal Procedure. His books on the subject were a model of their kind, as were his lectures, and many students who have gone on to considerable success in the profession owe much to David. He also edited with two colleagues eight editions of the Proceeds of Crime Review and co-wrote a History of Gray's Inn in 2018. Remarkably he was involved for over 50 years in producing the in- house magazines at Gray's writing regularly for them, particularly the "Griffin" column that permitted him to wander where the mood and his many interests took him. 

It is the experience of most august institutions that they are carried forward on the back of only a select number of its members. David was one of the great foot soldiers of Gray's Inn to the considerable advantage and benefit of the Society.