Keith Lomax Memorial Evening

On Friday 21st March, family, friends, and colleagues came together in London to remember and celebrate the life of Keith Lomax – a passionate solicitor, campaigner, and advocate for justice.

Jointly organised by Watkins Solicitors and Garden Court Chambers, the memorial evening was attended by legal professionals from across the country, his family, and friends. It offered a space for people to share stories, reflections, and tributes.

Keith was Head of the Public Law (Judicial Review) Department at Watkins Solicitors, where he played a pivotal role in challenging public body decisions and securing justice for individuals facing unlawful treatment.

Prior to joining Watkins, Keith ran his own firm, Davis Gore Lomax, for over three decades. Throughout his legal career, he consistently championed causes others often avoided – defending anti-arms trade protestors, anti-racist campaigners, environmental activists, and marginalised groups.

Keith acted in many high-profile Travellers’ rights cases throughout his career, including representing residents of the Dale Farm site in Essex—one of the most widely publicised eviction cases in recent British legal history. His broader human rights work also included successful challenges before the European Court of Human Rights, securing legal protections for Gypsies and Travellers, and prompting major reforms to improve medical care for vulnerable prisoners. These landmark outcomes reflect the depth and lasting impact of Keith’s work in advancing human rights.

Keith was widely respected for his tireless work in social justice, particularly in representing protestors, campaigners, and those whose rights had been ignored or violated. Over the years, he contributed to some of the most significant protest law cases in the UK, including challenges relating to mass arrests, unlawful surveillance, and police misconduct.

He was also an active member of the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers and worked closely with organisations including Legal Action for Women. Keith’s impact was not only felt through his legal victories, but in the encouragement and support he gave to fellow lawyers, many of whom spoke during the memorial of his kindness, humility, and unwavering sense of purpose. Everyone who spoke shared not only moving tributes but also stories that reflected Keith’s sense of humour. The evening was filled with fond and often funny anecdotes—capturing the spirit and personality that made him so cherished.

A particularly moving moment was when attendees watched a video of Keith recorded for International Women’s Day 2024, in which he spoke powerfully about gender equality, climate justice, and the need for solidarity. His words captured the strength of his convictions and the causes he continued to champion right until the end of his life.

The memorial served as a powerful reminder of Keith’s lasting legacy – not only as a brilliant and fearless solicitor but as someone whose principles, warmth, and commitment left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in remembering Keith and for helping to create a truly meaningful evening.

Read Keith's Obituary in The Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/oct/09/keith-lomax-obituary 

Watch Keith's 2024 International Women's Day video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G6e5TuGKL0