It is with great sadness that we announce that William Edis KC passed away on Wednesday 12th August.
Bill (as he was known), was a much loved member of Chambers for nearly 40 years. He was called to the Bar in 1985, having read Classics at Oxford, and deservedly took Silk in 2008.
He was a man of towering intellect, able to analyse and argue the most complex of legal and medical issues. He was regularly instructed in novel and challenging cases such as Gregg v Scott [2005] AC (HL), a leading case on loss of a chance damages, and also appeared in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
He was a formidable cross-examiner, always having the fine detail of his brief at his fingertips, and a master of strategy.
He was recognised as a leading Silk in the fields of healthcare law, clinical negligence, disciplinary and regulatory inquiries, inquests and healthcare-related public law. In one directory, he is described as “intellectually amazing”.
All this was achieved alongside a wry sense of humour and a generous attitude to sharing his extensive knowledge with pupils and fellow members of Chambers. He was the “go to touchstone” for either pupils or fellow members of Chambers when dealing with tricky or novel points of law and always gave considered and sage views and guidance.
He was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2004 and was scrupulously fair in that role.
He was a devoted family man, loyally supported by his wife Mary, and extremely proud of their sons Paddy and Jack.
Outside of the law, he enjoyed playing bridge, playing the banjo and watching his beloved Everton, a football club of which he had the most compendious knowledge.
He will be hugely missed by Chambers.
