Sydney was my hero

New book celebrates lawyer who fought apartheid

The Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn was packed last night with lawyers queuing to greet Sir Sydney Kentridge KCMG QC, whose hundredth birthday is now just four months away.

They heard an emotional speech by Thomas Grant QC, who has persuaded our most distinguished living advocate to to let him write an account of Kentridge’s time as South Africa’s leading anti-apartheid lawyer. The Mandela Brief will be published later this month.

Sir Sydney Kentridge KCMG QC, last night

“When you’re practising at the chancery or commercial bar,” said Grant, “you don't necessarily understand fully that lawyers can actually make an enormous difference to people’s lives.” He went on:

Sydney has not only changed people’s lives. He has saved people’s lives. He is someone who demonstrates that lawyers can not only change lives, but alter history.

Grant then told us what lay behind the title of his book.