Nicholas Crichton’s obituary made its appearance in the Guardian on the day (1 January) that Lady (Brenda) Hale, president of the supreme court, was quoted on the front page as calling for a more human face to the judiciary.
Nick was an exemplar of the human face and inspired a generation of family court judges to come down off their pedestals and show some empathy for the people they were dealing with and had power over.
In the family court children were at risk from their parents or the state, and he encouraged his colleagues to hear each child’s voice. Listening to children, being approachable, being photographed with them on adoption, explaining decisions – all simple stuff but frowned upon by many. He made me and others better judges.
