John Foy KC retires from practice at the Bar

News | Wed 28th Feb, 2024

Speaking of John’s retirement, Joint Head of Chambers Jacob Levy KC said:

“It is with some sorrow that we announce the retirement from practice at the Bar of John Foy KC.

John was called in 1969. He has spent his whole professional life in Chambers; first at 2 Dr Johnson’s Building in the Temple where he was pupil to Frank Hiorns and Michael Brent KC, then as a tenant at that address and later at 9 Gough Square, where he was Head of Chambers from 2000 to 2007. Thereafter John continued his journey with us at 9 Gough Chambers as we became Deka Chambers.

John is a titan of the Personal Injury Bar. He has almost exclusively represented grievously injured Claimants throughout his career.

Unashamedly preferring to work in the trenches in trial work at first instance, John nevertheless did much appellate work too, most notably but not only Corr v IBC in the House of Lords.

A passionate lawyer who worked assiduously for Plaintiffs/Claimants over a long and illustrious career, John was acknowledged as an impressive and commanding opponent who held the attention of Judges and practitioners alike with his attractive and incisive advocacy.

No one ever had or will have a bad word to say about John Foy; he was the consummate advocate – thorough, prepared, charming and courteous to all.

As a junior John developed an extraordinary practice for all the major Trade Union firms of Solicitors around the country, and in Silk his Claimant work continued to grow from strength to strength and his reputation in PI and also Clinical Negligence work remained huge. I am certain that many of his Instructing Solicitors will be sad to see him retire.

John led Chambers as its Head and did so approachably, affably and with great patience.

We wish John a long and fulfilling retirement – he is the bedrock of this Chambers and his immense presence helped solidify our reputation over so many decades.

On a personal note too, I shall miss John Foy KC; he interviewed me for a pupillage, was my pupil supervisor, my touchstone and my mentor. I owe much to his faith and guidance.

I wish him many fulfilling hours watching live football and so many other sports for which he has so much enthusiasm.

John is nothing short of legendary at the Personal Injury [and Common Law] Bar- and that understates matters: into retirement passes the end of an era.”