Falmouth solicitor to retire

1:16pm Friday 18th April 2008

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One of Cornwall's best-known lawyers is preparing to retire after 45 years in the profession. September will be a red letter month for Bernard Fox, when he steps down from his full-time role at Hine Downing, of Falmouth, and also celebrates his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife Anne.

Mr Fox, of Penryn, is almost equally well known for his support of the RNLI. He has been chairman of the Falmouth branch since 1994 and was vice-chairman for the previous 11 years - and he plans to continue in that capacity "for as long as I am able and for as long as they want me."

But the 63-year-old former president of Cornwall Law Society has decided it is time to step back from his mainstream activity that began with a baptism of fire in 1968.

As a freshly-qualified solicitor working for Reginald Rogers and Son in Falmouth, he was handed a "very simple" case by colleague Kenneth Gilbert - a plea for an adjournment before His Honour Judge Chope at Falmouth County Court.

"I had to wear a gown and tabs and I marched in feeling very full of myself," he recalls. "I saw three barristers there and thought no more of it until it suddenly became apparent that I was up against them as representatives of the three defendants in my case.

"I didn't know what to do and I struggled, frankly, but the barristers were extremely helpful, as was the judge - and I got my adjournment."

Bernard had joined Reginald Rogers as an articled clerk in 1963 - when he helped Kenneth Gilbert in the Russell Pascoe and Dennis Whitty murder case, leading to two of Britain's last hangings before capital punishment was abolished in 1965.

An old boy of Falmouth Grammar School, he progressed to senior partner with the firm. A heart attack ten years ago forced a review of his commitments, leading to a merger with Hine Downing, whom he will now continue to serve for a further two years as a consultant.

Among the many changes he has witnessed, he regrets the passing of the "honest criminal," explaining: "Years ago, I would be called to the cells and the fellow would say straightaway Fair cop.' I would say: You're going to plead guilty, then?' and he would reply: Yes, of course.' "Nowadays they duck and dive and dodge and say prove it.' Well, it would be a lot easier for everyone if they just owned up in the first place."

His representative roles with the Law Society and RNLI have led to three meetings with Her Majesty The Queen, whom he fondly recalls as "a wonderful woman, sweet and charming, with beautiful, piercing eyes."

He feels "privileged" to have been involved with the lifeboat crew, adding: "It's like a unique club; once you are in it, you are never forgotten and you know you have a bunch of great friends you can call upon whatever may happen to you."

As well as his lifeboat activity, Bernard is now seeking another good cause to serve in his retirement, when he will also indulge his hobbies of walking, painting, DIY, sailing and gardening.

Things to miss? "In both firms, the staff have been a delight to work with and true friends, extremely loyal, hard-working and supportive and I will miss them terribly.

"I have cherished my relationship with all my clients. They have come from all walks of life and it is wonderful to receive their friendly greetings and gestures when I see them outside the office."

Bernard, a past president of Falmouth Rotary Club, reflects: "It is going to be such a wrench to withdraw from them. It's been more of a vocation than a job. I believe if you do this job properly it has to be a vocation, and I would advise any budding lawyer to adopt that approach rather than doing it just for the money."