A popular veteran barrister, who has been a familiar face at Grimsby Crown Court for many years, has been hailed as the country’s oldest working barrister after celebrating his 90th birthday.
Noel Philo, known for his friendly, smiling and approachable manner, turned 90 on Christmas Day and he has vowed to carry on working for as long as he can. A surprise gathering was held for him recently to celebrate his landmark birthday.
Mr Philo has regularly presented cases for the prosecution and defence at Grimsby Crown Court, where his elegant, beautifully crafted phrases and perfectly enunciated vocal tones have been heard many times.
He has been known for his friendly and supportive help to other barristers over the years. During a surprise reception for Mr Philo at Lincoln Crown Court before Christmas, an ex-barrister, now a judge, paid tribute to Mr Philo for his help.
Judge Simon Hirst previously worked as a barrister, based at Wilberforce Chambers in Hull, and during that time, he regularly travelled to Grimsby Crown Court for cases, many of them involving clients of Grimsby solicitors Roy Foreman & Co. He found Mr Philo particularly helpful there.
Noel Philo and his wife Liz Harte
(Image: ©Stephen Daniels via KCH Garden Square Chambers, Nottingham)
Judge Hirst told the Lincoln gathering: “I have been in the legal profession some 30 years and, when I began my career at chambers in Hull, I was a regular visitor to Grimsby Crown Court. In the robing room, Noel always had words of wisdom for a ‘baby’ barrister and displayed acts of kindness.
“We are always delighted to have Noel helping us at this court and I hope it continues for many years to come.”
Mr Philo, an Oxford University graduate, said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to work in Crown Courts the length and breadth of the country and I will keep working as long as the briefs keep coming in.”
He is a member of KCH Garden Square Chambers, based in Nottingham. He was called to the Bar in 1975 after previously working as a solicitor for about 10 years and he is proud to be regarded as the country’s oldest working barrister. His recent cases have included prosecuting knife attackers and drug runners. He has already been working this year at Lincoln Crown Court, his now usual place of work.
Mr Philo was given the name Noel because he was born on Christmas Day – in 1934. He has four children and nine grandchildren.
His wife, Liz Harte, 71, is well known in legal circles through regularly sitting as a deputy district judge at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court. She was previously a solicitor at courts in the Boston and Lincoln areas.