Family and friends pay tribute to 'trailblazer' Dame Barbara Mills

Published: 06 October 2011
by DAN CARRIER

FRIENDS, family and former colleagues gathered to pay tribute to the late Dame Barbara Mills this week.

Dame Barbara, who died in May after a stroke, lived in Albert Street, Camden Town, and was renowned in legal circles. She was the first female Director of Public Prosecutions and also headed the Serious Fraud Office.

Her husband, former Camden Labour councillor John Mills, was joined by senior judge Sir Christopher Rose and Baroness Helena Kennedy in leading the tributes at the memorial held at the Inner Temple hall, on The Strand, on Wednesday.

Mr Mills said that while Barbara was known for her legal career, there was much more to her than what she did in the courtroom.

“I have been contacted by people from all walks of life, and that shows the ease with which she got on with all people,” he said.

“She had so many different facets to her character, and she did so many things.

She loved playing and watching tennis and was secretary at her club.

She loved reading, she loved films, music and the theatre, but above all, her focus was on her family.

We have been very lucky in the last few years – she was taking things a little easier and was not overwhelmed by pressure.

We had bought a house in France and these were happy times.”

Baroness Kennedy paid tribute to Dame Barbara’s role as a trailblazer for women seeking a career in the law without comprom­ising family life.

Among other guests were Cherie Blair, Baroness Janet Whitaker, Baroness Tessa Blackstone, leading legal academic and treasurer of Middle Temple Professor Dawn Olivier, and former Royal Free chairwoman Pam Chesters.