Memorial sitting for 'a legend'

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll (centre) speaks during a memorial sitting for Judge Michael Radford. From (back left): Judges Ray Kean, John Macdonald, Phil Moran, John Strettell, David Saunders, Noel Walsh, Jane McMeeken, Michael Crosbie, Mary O'Dwyer, Peter Callinicos and Jackie Moran. Front row (from left): Judges Rob Murfitt, Emma Smith, Tony Couch, Dominic Flatley, Kevin Phillips, Paul Kellar, Jane Farish, Raoul Neave and Stephen Coyle.

The former district court judge and Otago District Law Society president's family, friends and colleagues attended the special sitting to pay tribute and share tales and memories of him.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said the event was appropriate as many legal professionals had been unable to attend his funeral in March.

He described him as a "superb mentor and teacher", an "extraordinarily hard worker", and a man who showed "remarkable courage" throughout his illness.

Oamaru barrister and solicitor Bill Dean remembered him as an "extraordinarily persuasive man" with a "wicked sense of humour" and Judge Peter Callinicos summed him up as "a legend".

Judge Radford served as a member of the Legal Aid Board, the Otago Legal Aid Committee, the New Zealand Law Society council, and was a member of the New Zealand Law Society Ethics Committee.

He was sworn in as a district court judge at the Dunedin District Court in October 2006.

He served in Wellington for 10 months and then Wanganui for three years, before moving to Christchurch last year, where he continued working until February.

- Photo by Linda Robertson.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz