Anthony Gifford, 6th Baron Gifford facts for kids

Anthony Maurice Gifford, 6th Baron Gifford, born on 1 May 1940, is a British lawyer and a former member of the House of Lords. He is also known as a King's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers.

He became the Baron Gifford when his father, the 5th Baron, passed away in 1961. In 1970, Lord Gifford helped create the very first law centre in the UK. These centres offer free legal advice to people who need it.

Who is Lord Gifford? A Look at His Life and Work

Anthony Gifford went to school at Winchester College and then studied at King's College, Cambridge. After his studies, he became a lawyer in 1962. Later, in 1983, he earned the special title of Queen's Counsel (now King's Counsel). This means he was recognized as a very skilled and experienced lawyer.

Helping People with Legal Advice

Lord Gifford was a co-founder of the North Kensington Neighbourhood Law Centre. This was the first law centre in Britain. It provided free legal help to people who couldn't afford it. He also led his own law firm, Wellington Street Chambers, for 15 years. He continued to lead other law firms, helping many people with their legal issues.

Working on Important Cases

As a lawyer, Lord Gifford worked on many significant cases. He helped people who were appealing their court decisions. He also led important investigations into claims of unfair treatment and racism. For example, he chaired inquiries into events at Broadwater Farm and in Liverpool. He also represented families in major public inquiries, like the one about Bloody Sunday.

Practicing Law in Jamaica and the UK

Lord Gifford's legal work wasn't just in the UK. In 1991, he started a law firm in Kingston, Jamaica. This allowed him to work as a lawyer in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

Fighting for Human Rights

He was a strong supporter of human rights. He was an important member of a group called "Lawyers Against Apartheid." This group worked to end apartheid, which was a system of racial separation in South Africa.

His Time in the House of Lords

Lord Gifford was a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. He sat with the Labour group. However, a new law in 1999 changed how the House of Lords worked. This law meant that hereditary peers, like Lord Gifford, no longer automatically had a seat in Parliament. So, he left the House of Lords in November 1999.

Sharing His Story: The Passionate Advocate

In 2007, Lord Gifford wrote a book about his life called The Passionate Advocate. A newspaper in Jamaica, the Jamaica Gleaner, said that Lord Gifford has done a lot to help people who are treated unfairly around the world. The review also mentioned that his book is important for understanding law, history, politics, and the fight against racism.

Why is Lord Gifford Campaigning for Reparations?

Lord Gifford has been a strong voice in the campaign for reparations for slavery. Reparations mean making amends for past wrongs. He believes that African nations and the descendants of enslaved Africans should receive compensation for the harm caused by the slave trade.

In 1993, he gave a speech in Nigeria about the legal reasons for claiming reparations. He also raised this issue in the House of Lords in 1996. He asked the UK government to consider making reparations. Lord Gifford is now a member of the Jamaican reparations commission. He hopes that countries across the Caribbean will work together on this important issue.

Lord Gifford's Family Life

Lord Gifford has been married three times.

• He first married Katherine Ann Mundy in 1965. They had two children:
  • The Hon. Thomas Adam Gifford (born 1967)
  • The Hon. Polly Ann Gifford (born 1969)

They divorced in 1988.

• In 1988, he married Elean Roslyn Thomas. They had one daughter:
  • The Hon. Sheba Chanel Gifford (born 1992)

They later divorced.

• Lord Gifford married Tina Natalia Goulbourne in 1998.

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Anthony Gifford, 6th Baron Gifford

Notes Coat of arms of the Gifford family Coronet A coronet of a Baron Crest A Panther's Head couped at the neck and affrontée between two Branches of Oak proper Escutcheon Azure a Chevron between three Stirrups with Leathers Or within a Bordure engrailed Argent pellety Supporters Dexter: a Bay Horse proper charged on the shoulder with a Portcullis Or; Sinister: a Greyhound Argent charged on the body with three Ermine Spots Motto Non Sine Numine (Not without God's assistance)