A BARRISTER with a ‘formidable intellect’ who founded a Worcester criminal law firm has retired after nearly 40 years in the legal profession.

Charles Hamer was praised both by a senior judge and the close friend who persuaded him to become a barrister at Worcester Crown Court on Friday during a presentation before court staff and other advocates.

Mr Hamer appeared surprised and moved by the gesture in court one after he attempted to keep his departure quiet.

By chance his last day fell on March 29, the original date for Brexit, which was soon dubbed ‘Chexit’ in Mr Hamer’s honour.

Mr Hamer transferred to the bar after a long career as a solicitor having been admitted in January 1981. He was the senior prosecuting solicitor for the West Mercia Police Authority between 1984 and 1986 and an associate with Kieran & Co in Worcester specialising in criminal defence between 1986 and 1990.

He established his own criminal law firm in Worcester where he was sole practitioner and senior partner under the names Charles H. Hamer, Hamer Bell & Co and Hamer Childs (1990-2007).

The former CPS agent had many years of experience in regulatory work especially taxi licensing cases, became a solicitor-advocate with higher rights and was involved in major cases such as homicides and gross negligence manslaughter cases including the Evesham rail tragedy where three asylum seekers were killed and the Stourport Carnival drowning incident where a boat sank in the river Severn.

He transferred to the bar 12 years ago, becoming a barrister for Citadel Chambers, later appearing as junior counsel in murder and attempted murder trials.

Three judges were in court during the presentation - judge Nicolas Cartwright, judge Jim Tindal and recorder Robert Spencer-Bernard.

Judge Cartwright recalled how, when he was newly qualified barrister, Mr Hamer ‘looked a bit like Lenin in the way he sported his whiskers’ and was ‘a bit intimidating’.

Judge Cartwright also referred to Mr Hamer’s ‘intellectual air’ and said he had all the traits one would expect to find in a successful criminal advocate - his clients liked him and had ‘considerable faith in him’ and he was ‘economical’, ‘realistic’ and had a ‘sense of humour’.

Mr Hamer’s colleague, Andrew Fisher QC, described him as a man of ‘formidable intellect’ with, ‘immaculate judgement and utter integrity’ who had experienced personal tragedy and raised three daughters on his own.

He also referred to him as ‘the nicest man upon whose judgement you can rely absolutely’ and a ‘loyal, true and trusted friend’.

Mr Hamer referred to becoming a barrister as ‘one of the best decisions I have taken in my life’ and said his late wife continued to inspire him and their children.

He also extended his thanks to the court for all the support given to him over the years and thanked his colleagues for the kindness they had shown.