Retirement of Christopher Sharp KC
Written by HH Nicholas Marston, Colleague and Friend
At the end of March 2025, Christopher Sharp KC retires from practice as a Barrister in Bristol and on the Western Circuit. Christopher has been in practice in Bristol since 1975 and took Silk in 1999, making him one of those unusual Barristers who has been a Silk longer than he was a Junior. He started at Guildhall Chambers, but in 1977 he left there to set up St John’s Chambers with 6 colleagues.
As a Junior he was quickly recognised as one of the finest advocates and lawyers on the Western Circuit, and as a QC, then KC, his reputation grew until for the last 20 years or so he has been acknowledged by his colleagues, opponents, those who instruct him, Judges and all the quality assessments from legal sources as a leader in the areas of Personal Injury and Family Law (he is fairly good at everything else as well!).
One quote is sufficient “Christopher has an astonishing work ethic and yet is hugely engaged and empathetic with vulnerable clients and families. He leaves no stone unturned and nothing to chance, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law and is a steady presence who is always ready with sound and articulate advice” Chambers U.K.
He has been a Deputy High Court Judge and Recorder for many years but has never wanted a permanent appointment, otherwise I am sure he would have been in the Court of Appeal by now. He has preferred the arena of the court “Give me combat” as Emile Zola said, something in which he has excelled.
When I joined St Johns in 1990, I had been at the Bar for 15 years and thought I knew what sort of practitioner I was (I just could not understand how I kept losing cases when I was against him!).
Coming under Christopher’s influence changed my attitude of complacency and self-satisfaction. His workload, dedication to never being underprepared, always being committed to his client and his case, to not compromise on your professional standards, and his example of technical competence and courage as an advocate were truly inspirational and rubbed off to the extent that my income rocketed up, as did my professional skills level and that set me on the path to the Bench .
He managed his practice and administered an ever-expanding set of chambers with an amazing work ethic and commitment. I asked another mutual friend and an ex-pupil of his, ‘how long Christopher was Head of St John’s?’, her response was “Always”. This might not be technically true but was certainly right in spirit.
So, what is he like on a personal level? Once you get past that terrifying image (I have known Judges to pull a sickie when they found he was in a case before them!), he is very much a family man, he has a wife Sarah who is almost equally formidable, some of you will know her as Chair of the Family Magistrates in Bristol, Their relationship is rock solid and built on a deep and abiding love and respect for each other. They are truly supportive parents and devoted grandparents. They both love music, art and the theatre and do a lot of charitable work. He is very funny. He has a massive intellectual hinterland but also prides himself on his bowling and still turns out for the Chamber’s cricket team. He is also an immensely kind, thoughtful and a truly supportive friend. His hospitality is legendary, and he can be relied on to always find a very nice white Burgundy at 2:30 in the morning!
In case you think I am blind to his faults, he is the worst driver I have ever travelled with (I am only now recovering from a journey to Winchester in 2000 when he had heavy rock on the whole way - The Darkness. And his yelled abuse at fellow drivers caused me to blush with embarrassment). He also has a tendency to go on a bit as an advocate, I remember him leading me in a case in Exeter and after a 4 hour cross examination of one witness, turning to me and saying “Anything else we need to put?”, I said “Sharpie, he has been dead in the water for the last 45 minutes!”
A gigantic figure at the Bar in Bristol, a wonderful colleague and my friend for 50 years. I wish him a happy retirement, not that anyone as energetic and thoughtful as Christopher can ever really retire.
HH Nick Marston, 28/3/25