Sir Nicholas Mostyn

Doctor of Laws

Thursday 25 July 2024 - Orator: Professor Oliver Quick

Listen to the full oration and honorary speech on SoundCloud.

"Good morning everyone. This is a Great Day in this Great Hall. I am Professor Oliver Quick, and it is my pleasure to introduce our Honorary Graduand, Sir Nicholas Mostyn.

Pro Vice Chancellor, I remember first reading about Nicholas as a Law Lecturer in May 2006. Interviewed for The Times Magazine, he described himself in three words as: “Catholic, Welsh and Wagnerian.” An unusual combination, for an unusually compelling character. I am only one of those three, but I was instantly intrigued, and 18 years later, I am honoured to pay tribute to him today.    

Bristol

His early years were far from conventional. Born in Hitchin, he was raised in Nigeria, Venezuela and El Salvador. During his secondary schooling in Yorkshire, his English teacher wrote that he ‘covets to excess the role of entertainer’ – a role, some might say, he still takes seriously today. Arriving in Bristol to read Law in 1976, Nicholas was as much the socialite as the scholar. His attendance for “Wills at 1” (in the pub opposite this great building) was somewhat better than attendance at tutorials. In July 1978, the exam feedback from his personal tutor was brutally honest: “Dear Nicholas, you have excelled yourself in achieving low thirds in Land Law, Equity and Contract. At this rate you can expect to have a brilliant career, but probably not as a lawyer!”

Maybe this was masterly man management by Professor Brenda Sufrin, because he progressed to become the pre-eminent Family Lawyer of his generation. To be fair, there were signs of his rare intellect and gifted oratory during his Bristol days - a detailed dissertation on the Canonical Annulment of Marriage (written before the advent of word count penalties!) and winning best speaker at the Lloyd’s Bank debating competition in 1978. And it began at this beacon of learning, inspired by the teaching and mentorship of both Professor Nigel Lowe (his Family Law Tutor), and Professor Sufrin (his Personal Tutor). I know that Nicholas is delighted you are here today, alongside his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Daisy, brother Mark, sister-in-law Sophie and close friend Gavin.

At the Bar

After Bristol, Nicholas became a barrister in 1981, swiftly advancing to Queen’s Counsel aged just 39. Specialising in high profile divorce cases, his successes led to the media nicknames of “Mr Payout” and “Mostyn Powers.” With his trademark tenacity, every case was winnable. In snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in Miller v Miller, it is said that all five Law Lords “hung on his every word, like eager children willing a bedtime story never to end.” The master craftsman of legal argument and advocacy, a star performer in domestic and foreign courts. It was a huge loss for the Family Bar, but a huge gain for the Family Court, when he was appointed a High Court Judge in 2010. 

On the bench

Pro Vice Chancellor, the concept of Judicial Independence is fundamental to the Rule of Law. Few judges have been as independent as Sir Nicholas Mostyn. According to the current President of the Family Division, he has made an unprecedented contribution to developing the law and practice of divorce and financial provision. Creating and leading the Financial Remedy Court – where finances are resolved fairly – is a lasting legacy to Family Law and Justice. As are his published judgments (all 321 of them) showcasing his skills as a lawyer, linguist, historian and mathematician – but also his personal qualities: his warmth, empathy, humour and above all, his humanity.

Whilst a daring doyen of Family Law, his most impactful decision was made in the Administrative Court. In 2017, he quashed as discriminatory a statutory instrument which disallowed claims for Personal Independence Payments based on psychological distress. That decision, which was not appealed by the Government, has benefitted thousands of people with mental health conditions. The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence at its best.   

Parkinson’s & podcasts

In May 2020, Nicholas was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Happily, the condition is very well controlled. Indeed, it has brought the best out of him – allowing his creative energy and natural optimism to shine through. The highly rated podcast “Movers and Shakers”, alongside 5 famous “Parkies”, has provided insights and support to so many. The current campaign for a “Parkinson’s Charter” (to improve NHS care and support), reflects his positive “can do” personality. With Lord Falconer and Baroness Kennedy he co-hosts a second podcast – Law and Disorder – expertly examining legal issues of the day.

He took early retirement last year to enjoy his family and many hobbies: golf, tennis, skiing and listening to Taylor Swift – oh yes, he is a committed “Swifty.” Auf Wiedersehen Wagner! His formal farewell at the Royal Courts of Justice, at which I was honoured to be present, was a truly remarkable occasion full of admiration and affection from the legal professions. And his hinterland is reflected in tributes from beyond the law – for example, The Institute of Legal Archaeology, The Royal Horticultural Society, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the Worshipful Company of Small Dog Owners. Speaking of small dogs, it would be remiss of me not to mention his beloved Dachshund, Bilbo. If it is true that dogs reflect their owners, the temperament of the Dachshund breed leaves no doubt in his case: clever, playful, lively, stubborn, active, independent and courageous.

Pro Vice Chancellor, I am delighted to present Nicholas Anthony Joseph Ghislain Mostyn, as eminently worthy of the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa."