TRIBUTES have been paid to a leading child law barrister from Little Witley who has died from a heart attack, aged 45.

Friends said David Hershman was a thoughtful and humorous man whose love of his family was reflected in his commitment to children and the law.

He was the co-author of Children: Law and Practice, which, when published in 1991, became the 'bible' for cases involving children, especially divorce law.

His death, from a heart attack at home on September 4, came just two years after he attained the prestigious title of QC.

Chief executive of children's charity Acorns, John Overton, said Mr Hershman was a valued fund-raiser.

Mr Overton said: "He has been a friend in many different ways and we will miss him terribly - he was a decent bloke, a lovely man and a man of great ethics.

"He was a very independent man and raised money really without involving us at all. He just went out and did it and raised money which numbered into thousands of pounds."

Mr Overton added: "It is a terrible tragedy and beyond comprehension."

Fellow barrister and Little Witley resident, Robert Juckes, told the Shuttle/Times & News: "There is no doubt his book alone was a major contribution to the development of the law in the clarifying of issues.

"He was a leading expert in that field and he was, himself, very much a family man.

"David was very much respected and much liked.

"He was a hugely likeable man, he was a humorous man and, at the same time, very successful and hard-working in what he did."

Mr Hershman had attended an event at Little Witley Village Hall the night before his death, with his four daughters and wife Abi, said Mr Juckes.

The family had that week returned from a holiday in America.

Mr Hershman was educated at Worcester's King's School and King's College in London. He practised in Birmingham at 2 Fountain Court, latterly St Philip's Chambers.

He had this year been appointed to leading London family law firm, One King's Bench Walk.

A memorial service for Mr Hershman will be held at Worcester Cathedral on November 20 at 12.30pm.