Prominent UK Barrister Courtenay Griffiths Dies Aged 69

Courtenay Griffiths KC, a pioneering Black British barrister renowned for his formidable advocacy and dedication to justice, has died at the age of 69. Born in Jamaica and called to the Bar in 1980, Griffiths was among the first Black lawyers in the UK to achieve Queen's Counsel status and was celebrated for representing high-profile cases such as the PC Keith Blakelock and Damilola Taylor murder trials, the Brighton bombing, and notably, former Liberian President Charles Taylor in his war crimes trial. Griffiths was widely admired for his mentorship, generosity, and commitment to opening doors for Black lawyers, emphasizing the importance of fiercely defending all clients regardless of their popularity. He served as joint Head of Garden Court Chambers for over a decade and was a vocal campaigner against legal aid cuts, recognizing their disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Colleagues and legal institutions praised him as a brilliant, fearless advocate and a kind, selfless individual who fundamentally changed the landscape of the British legal profession. His death was mourned by the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he continued to represent Taylor on a pro bono basis until recently.