Manchester's most senior judge led moving tributes following the deaths of two barristers and a court usher during a period of 'great sadness' for the city's legal circuit. Paul Dockery, a barrister for 50 years who also acted as a legal advisor for both Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, passed away following a stroke last month aged 73.
The city's circuit has also been rocked by the deaths of Nicola Gatto, a barrister of 25 years, and court usher Donna Taylor, who worked at Manchester Crown Court for more than 15 years. Both were aged in their mid 50s at the time of their sad passing.
"These last few weeks have brought great sadness to this court," said Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, at a packed Manchester Crown Court eulogy for Mr Dockery. The building's largest courtroom, the new 'super courtroom', was packed with more than a dozen crown court judges, two former Honorary Recorders of Manchester, Sir Rhys Davies KC and David Stockdale KC, as well as retired judges David Hernandez, Martin Rudland and Martin Steiger KC. Court staff and barristers also paid their respects.
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Referring to the large attendance for his eulogy, Judge Dean said: "It is itself powerful testament to the respect and affection felt across this court for Paul Dockery." As well as an extraordinary legal career prosecuting and defending thousands of cases, Mr Dockery, from Alderley Edge, acted as legal advisor for TV soaps Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.
A lifetime Corrie fan, he was not paid for his advice to the show but instead asked to be included on the cobbles in walk-on parts. He appeared in Weatherfield on 19 occasions as a court usher or court clerk, after advising the show around storylines including the trials of Tracy Barlow and Becky McDonald.
"In Coronation Street Paul made a fine court clerk, having seemingly been promoted from usher," Judge Dean said. "He leaves a legacy of love and laughter," the judge added. "It is to be hoped that is some consolation to Paul's family."
Lisa Roberts KC, leader of the Northern Circuit, said that Mr Dockery had once told how he wanted his epitaph to be that 'he was always good company'. "Well he certainly was," Ms Roberts said.
"He was also much more than that of course." Addressing Mr Dockery's children, who were in court, "Your dad brought us all great happiness. It was a privilege to watch him in full flow in court."
The eulogy was also streamed to Manchester's second crown court at Minshull Street, at Bolton Crown Court and Liverpool Crown Court, to allow his colleagues to pay their respects.
Tributes have also been paid to Ms Gatto, a well known and much respected barrister who prosecuted and defended in cases of serious crime, who was described as a 'true star'.
"We are in mourning again for a formidable and legendary figure of our Circuit, Nicola Gatto," the Northern Circuit Twitter account said. "She was a true star of our Circuit, the greatest storyteller, and is already much missed."
Her chambers, Nine St John Street, added: "Nicky will be missed and Chambers will not be the same without her. A formidable opponent in Court who left no stone unturned in her preparation and presentation of cases. A true circuit raconteur."
While many court cases concluded earlier last week, so crown court judges and staff could attend the funeral of much loved court clerk Ms Taylor, who was admired both by her colleagues and the legal profession.
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