2009
The Rt Hon Lord Bingham of Cornhill KG PC (deceased), Pre-eminent lawyer of his generation
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his contribution as a leading judicial advocate of constitutional reform and his influence in the development of the law in numerous areas.
From October 2009 the highest legal forum in the land will be the new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. It marks an historic break from the legislative and political functions of the House of Lords, which was for centuries the court of final appeal. Lord Bingham is one of the reforming judges who have long advocated such a move. If he had not retired as a Senior Law Lord last year, he would have been the new court's President.
Throughout an outstanding legal career over the half century since he was called to the Bar, Thomas Bingham has earned wide international recognition as an advocate, judge and influential contributor to the law of England and Wales, notably in commercial and constitutional law and in human rights. He held the leading offices of Master of the Rolls (1992-96) and Lord Chief Justice (1996-2000). He has also played an active role in legal education and promoting links between the judiciary and universities, of the kind maintained by NTU.