Judges and barristers unite to pay tribute to ‘ senior court watcher’

MORE THAN 100 circuit judges, barristers and even Lord Justices of Appeal have remembered the UK’s “senior court watcher” in a rare judicial tribute to a member of the public.

Andrew Mollison, 74, died last week after more than 40 years of watching cases from the public gallery at Sheffield Crown Court and in dozens of other courtrooms. He caught overnight buses and even hitch- hiked around the country to follow judges and lawyers he treated “like family”.

The Honorary Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, led tributes as many of the most senior judges and former judges in England and

Wales joined remotely, along with 113 others. Retired Judge Michael MurphyQCsaidinamessageread at the special hearing in Sheffield on Friday: “We think that with a record 42 years, Andrew was the longest serving court watcher in the country.”

Mr Mollison’s friend Judge Peter Kelson QC told those attending online and socially- distanced in two courtrooms at Sheffield Crown Court how he had known him since he was a young barrister starting out in 1981.

He recalled that when he was sworn in as a QC at the House of Lords, “who should we see over the railing waving furiously – Andrew, of course”. He also spoke of the kindness and friendship Mr Mollison offered to so many in the legal profession, as well as to journalists and everyone connected to the court.

“Andrew was unique, loyal, constant and he was family,” he said. “I think we can agree that if everyone behaved towards each other as Andrew behaved to all who knew him, the world would be a better place.”

The court heard that Mr Mollison had been dubbed the UK’s “senior court watcher” by another previous Honorary Recorder of Sheffield.

He is understood to have died from coronary heart disease after testing positive for Covid- 19.