It is with great sadness that we share the news that our colleague and dear friend Nick Hanning passed away during the morning of New Years Eve.

Many of our clients will have had the benefit of his experience either from having worked directly with him, attended a training course he expertly delivered or, unbeknownst to them, because DG Legal has had the benefit of his working alongside us to build up our combined bank of knowledge for many years.

Nick was always a very a humble man but it is not an over-statement to say that he was an absolute role model and a trailblazer! He had many ‘firsts’ in his illustrious legal career and paved the way for other lawyers to follow. Nick was admitted as a Fellow of what became the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) in 1990. In 2000, when rights of audience were extended to Legal Executives, Nick was one of the first to qualify as an Advocate in Civil Proceedings. He was also recognised as one of the first Legal Executives to become a partner in a solicitors’ practice.

Nick was President of CILEX between 2012 and 2013 and was then appointed to the Board of CILEX Regulation.  He then became a Deputy District Judge and a fee paid Employment Tribunal Judge. Last year, he became the very first CILEX lawyer to be appointed as a Recorder, a part time Circuit Judge.

In and around all this, he continued to practise as a lawyer as well as working tirelessly with us all here at DG Legal as one of our most trusted and respected consultants.

However, to us and above everything else, he was our dear friend.  He was one of the kindest and nicest people we have ever known.  Despite his huge intelligence and all round ability, he was always modest and always had time for others.

Our thoughts remain with his family and all his many friends at this tremendously sad time.  We will just miss him so very much.