It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our dear friend and former member of 12KBW, His Honour Allan Gore KC, who passed away on 18 December after an illness, aged 74.
Allan was called to the Bar in 1978 and took silk in 2003.
Following his retirement from 12KBW in 2010, he held a variety of judicial posts: Circuit Judge, Deputy High Court Judge, Court of Protection Judge and Judge in the Technology and Construction Court. He was appointed as Senior Circuit Judge in 2011.
He was the Designated Civil Judge for Liverpool and Merseyside from 2011 to 2013, for Greater Manchester from 2013 to 2018 and for Devon and Cornwall from 2018 and in addition, Dorset from 2021. He was one of the Directors of Civil Training at the Judicial College and a Course Tutor. He retired from the Judiciary in August 2021.
Allan was a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and served in a number of roles within the Executive Committee between 1995 and 2002, then becoming Treasurer from 2002-2004, Vice-President in 2004/5 and President in 2005/6.
Allan was a formidable advocate who would go to great lengths to robustly support his client’s case. He loved the drama of the court room both as an advocate and as a judge.
He appeared in many seminal cases across the personal injury, clinical negligence and disease work spectrum (Heil & others v Rankin & others, Barker v Corus, Callery v Gray) and major inquiries including those arising out of the Kings Cross fire and the Clapham Rail disaster.
Allan was a man of multiple qualities: determination, humour, cricket prowess (seldom did a ball pass him by as Chambers’ wicketkeeper) and substantial sophistication amongst them.
Allan was an immense source of support for other members of Chambers – even during an Ashes series supporting his beloved Australia! Moreover, he always found time to mentor and encourage junior barristers and for that many members of Chambers and the wider Bar are profoundly grateful.
His contribution to Chambers, the Bar, the Judiciary and all our lives was truly immense. We will miss him greatly.
Our deepest condolences to his wife Alison and his children, Rachel, Lauren, Hannah and Sam, and his grandchildren Ariella, Orson, Barnaby and Wilfred.
