It is with much regret that we report the death of Master Woodley (Leonard Woodley QC). He passed away on Sunday 19 January, aged 92. The Inn’s flag will be flying at half-mast tomorrow, Wednesday 22 January, in his memory.
Master Woodley was called to the Bar by The Inner Temple in 1963. As a criminal barrister he specialised in trials with a political or civil liberties element, including cases arising from the Notting Hill and Bristol riots. He chaired the Laudat Inquiry into mental health and sat on the Royal Commission on long term care. He became Britain's first Queen's Counsel of Caribbean origin in 1988, and a Recorder in 1989 until 2000. He was elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher of the Inn in 1990.
Details of any funeral and/or memorial service will be circulated as appropriate in due course.