There was standing room only in court no.1 at Hove Crown Court last Friday afternoon to bid farewell to HHJ Anthony Niblett (Tony) on his retirement from the Circuit Bench after 17 years as a full time Judge.
Members of his old chambers, past and present, joined Judges, lawyers, court staff, family and friends to hear generous tributes from fellow Judges, HHJ Rennie and HHJ Laing QC, Mr Philip Meredith for the Bar and Mr David Manning for the court service. Tony’s caring and humane temperament both on and off the bench was a theme common to all the speakers and reminded his erstwhile colleagues in chambers of the outstanding nature and quality of his leadership as Head of the Brighton Annex of 1 Crown Office Row before his appointment.
It came as no surprise that in his own address to the assembled company, Tony warmly thanked and mentioned all those with whom he had worked during his career at the Bar and on the Bench and those who had given him support and encouragement during his career, not least of those being his wife, Valerie, and children, Julia and Andrew. No doubt they were proud to witness the prolonged standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech from all those present and the genuine warmth of the good wishes for his retirement.
