Firm News

Lord Mishcon 1915 - 2006

Release Date:

28 January 2006

"Everyone at Mishcon de Reya - the Firm founded by Victor Mishcon - his many clients and indeed the legal community in this country and abroad will all be saddened to learn of the passing of Lord Mishcon, aged 90. In a remarkable career spanning eight decades he gained a worldwide reputation for his wisdom, integrity and discretion. We have all been fortunate to have known and worked with such a remarkable individual and are privileged to carry on his legacy. He will be greatly missed."

Kevin Gold
Managing Partner
Mishcon de Reya

Lord Mishcon QC
Founder, Mishcon de Reya

In 1937 Victor Mishcon opened his solicitors practice in South London. Some fifty years later Victor Mishcon & Co merged with part of Bartletts de Reya and the Firm became Mishcon de Reya. He was senior partner until 1992 and thereafter a consultant. The Firm today has over 40 partners and 140 lawyers in all.

Created a Labour life peer in 1978, Lord Mishcon combined a successful career in the law with over 60 years of public service. His work in local government in London included chairmanship of the LCC in 1954 followed by service on the GLC as member for Lambeth. In the 1960s he was a member of the ILEA. In the House of Lords, he rose to opposition spokesman on home affairs (1983 - 1990) and on legal affairs, effectively shadow Lord Chancellor, (1983-1992). He sat on many distinguished House of Lords committees.

His numerous contributions to public policy included serving on the historic Wolfenden Committee, which led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

He sat on the board of the National Theatre and the London Orchestra Board. He served on the governing bodies of many schools and Jewish organisations. He held honorary degrees at UCL and Birmingham University.

The first practising solicitor to be so appointed, Lord Mishcon was made Honorary Queens Counsel in 1992 on the recommendation of The Lord Chancellor.

In 1994 he was made an Honorary Life Member of the The Law Society "in recognition of his distinguished career as a solicitor and his considerable contribution to many areas of public life particularly in local government in London and in parliament".

Throughout his career, Lord Mishcon played an important role in international diplomacy including the peace agreement between Jordan and Israel for which he was awarded the Star of Jordan (First Class) 1995 by King Hussein. Other foreign honours include Commander Royal Swedish Order of North Star 1954 and the Star of Ethiopia 1954.