TECBAR was saddened to hear of the unexpected death of its past chair (2004-2007) Paul Darling OBE KC.
Paul was a hugely successful practitioner with a substantial international practice and a larger-than-life character who has been a well-known fixture of the construction bar for 40 years, having been called in 1983 and taken silk in 1999. He was also called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 2004.
Paul was a member of Keating Chambers (of which he was head from 2010 until 2015) and latterly 39 Essex.
During his tenure as chair of TECBAR he worked with Lord Dyson and Lord Justice Jackson who together turned the TCC into the modern, internationally renowned court it is today.
As well as a practising as a barrister, Paul was heavily involved from the fifth edition of Keating on Construction Contracts and, with Richard Wilmot-Smith KC, on Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts (now in its fourth edition).
Paul has always been enthusiastically involved with his Inn, Middle Temple, as both Bencher and more recently Master Treasurer.
Paul often chaired TECBAR events and was an early adopter of the podcast.
It wasn’t all about the law. Paul had substantial interests outside of law, particularly horse-racing and was the current chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board. He was also a devoted supporter of Newcastle United FC.
He will be very much and sadly missed and TECBAR sends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.