Law and the Spirit of Inquiry: Essays in Honour of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, QC

This collection of essays, in honour of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, reflects the regard in which he is held throughout the world. In his Foreword to the book, Lord Woolf emphasizes the contribution which Sir Louis has made, in so many capacities, of course, as an advocate and a Queen’s Counsel (both in England and Wales and Northern Ireland). He frequently appeared for those who are disadvantaged against the establishment. Louis’ commitment has been on an international scale and in many of the out-of-the-way parts of the world he has an esteemed status. Not many of the Queen’s Counsel would, for example, have made the 6 week journey to St. Helena to defend a client. Besides his articles for legal journals, he was the author of many books, his writing demonstrating the breadth of his interests. Louis has also been a great campaigner for law reform. He has many achievements to his credit but I suspect that the cause which was closest to his heart was penal reform. A number of extremely authoritative contributions to this Festschrift therefore focus on some of the areas of reform for which Sir Louis campaigned. However, it is in connection with the Inquiries that he had conducted that Sir Louis found the most important outlet for his talents. His creativity, his powers of analysis, his understanding and ability to relate to the public have been called on by the government and other institutions, both in this country and abroad, when matters of great public concern have arisen. All the distinguished contributors to this Festschrift have known Sir Louis in one or more of his multifarious capacities.