FOR THE PURPOSES OF RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, HOW DOES ONE DEFINE PEOPLE IN CONTEXT OF KASHMIR


 

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OBITUARY 

 

 
 
Gordon Goldberg, LLB, MA, Barrister, (1938-2015) former Reader in 

Law and Master of Moots at the University of Buckingham died on 13 June 

2015, the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua. The University received many 

tributes from Alumni and former academic colleagues. We cannot print them 

all but we are sure our readers would wish to share in some of them. 

 

“In these days of Powerpoint presentations, virtual learning 

environments, research excellence frameworks, student surveys, peer 

review, personal developments plans, and all the bureaucratic 

paraphernalia surrounding teaching in higher education, one can 

despair that no room is left for inspirational teachers. Perhaps Gordon 

Goldberg and his like are a dying breed, but it could never be said of 

Gordon that he went quietly. In his time at the University of 

Buckingham, he left an indelible mark on a whole generation of law 

students. He will also long be remembered in the town if only for 

riding his bicycle everywhere with his academic gown flying in the 

wind behind him. Central to understanding Gordon‟s power and 

influence were two loves, his love of the common law (he never really 

reconciled himself to Britain‟s membership of the European Union) 

and his love of and respect for students (for whom he could have 

infinite time and care). From both he expected a beauty and precision 



OBITUARY 

 

iv 

of language. All of this was seen, not just in the formal teaching 

environment, but also in his conduct as Master of Moots. I doubt we 

will see his like again.”  

(Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alistair Alcock) 

 

“Out of my law lecturers at Buckingham, he stood out as kind, 

engaging, non-judgemental, thoroughly decent and knowledgeable. I 

have never forgotten the genuine kindness and respect I received from 

Mr Gordon Goldberg”  

(Donna I. Achara, Alumna) 

 

“Like Lord Denning, Gordon respected the power of language. His 

unique use of English both ancient and modern was developed into a 

unique, distinct and memorable prose. Gordon was passionate about 

law, its impartiality and its justice. Unsurprisingly, the case of 

Prohibitions del Roy [1607] EWHC J23 (KB), in which Sir Edward 

Coke in challenging the power of  King James asserted that cases were 

to be decided „but by the artificial reason and judgment of Law‟ was 

central to Gordons  quest that law was above no man. 

He had a reputation far and wide and when the Honourable 

Justice Debbie Mortimer was appointed to the Federal Court of 

Australia in 2013 it was mentioned in the speech given in her honour 

that in 1987, she was articled to Gordon Goldberg of Goldberg and 

Window Solicitors, Richmond. In her address when she was sworn in 

she said of Gordon Goldberg „He is a formidable lawyer and I learned 

a great deal from him. He deplored the use of pro forma documents 

and precedents, instead advising me, "Dear, go and read the relevant 

legislation and any court rules and then read the cases and work it 

out". Reading the relevant legislation and any court rules, then reading 

the cases and working it out, is, I have found, rather a sound general 

approach to the practice of the law‟. Gordon was not only a man of 

reason he was also a man of passion for teaching and will also be 

remembered for his  generosity of spirit and love for his students” 

(Dean of Law, Professor Susan Edwards) 

 

“He took the „Academic Stage‟ of legal education seriously and would 

never compromise on its demands. It meant – and does mean – that 

students studying law understand those key principles that give it its 

very strength and purpose. This is not always an easy task to 

undertake. One can make the distinction between the obscurity of 

expression and the expression of obscurity. Gordon was never guilty 

of the former, but viewed the latter as pardonable. He was, after all, 



THE DENNING LAW JOURNAL 

v 

endeavouring to explain difficult concepts. Difficult though they were, 

they were still well worthy of the effort. I am sure that many a law 

student – just as I did – finally understood, finally realised the wisdom 

of Gordon‟s words long after they were spoken.I am sure that he did 

know – or at least suspect – what a colossal impact he had had on 

generations of lawyers who graduated from all the institutions which 

he adorned”.  

 

“He was a man, take him all in all, I shall not look upon his like 

again.” Hamlet, Act 1 sc 2, 1, 187.  

(Owain Blackwell, former academic colleague)