Appreciation: James Sutherland

James Sutherland was, by any standards, an exceptional man. In his lifetime he achieved distinction in more fields of law than any of his contemporaries. But that was only part of the man. Jim or Jimmy, he answered happily to both, loved his golf, was a devoted family man, a man of the church and an active supporter of many charitable causes. In countless ways he gave of himself in public service

Jimmy, as he was known in the West of Scotland, was born in Glasgow on 15th February 1920. He was educated at Queens Park Secondary School and Glasgow University, graduating MA LLB in 1948, the year of his marriage to his first wife Betty. Having served in the Royal Signals during the war Jimmy joined McClure Naismith Brodie &Co, as it then was, and became a partner in 1951.

A talented lawyer, and a great clients’ man, Jimmy, having trained initially as a court lawyer, specialised in commercial law but as was normal at that time involved himself in many aspects of the practice. A man of great integrity, he became widely recognised as a sound and wise counsellor. While he liked to win, when winning was necessary, he also knew the importance of conciliation long before it became a separate discipline. Jimmy made a huge contribution to the development of his firm, particularly during his years as senior partner until his retirement in 1987. His achievements in McClures would have been enough for most men – not for Jimmy.

Many people have good ideas but have neither the power nor the vision to implement them. Jimmy was a man of ideas and had the capacity to implement them. He took the view that the Law Society had an important role to play in the development of the profession and in ensuring that it had a strong voice in the broader community. He was also among the first to see the need to actively promote post qualifying education for solicitors. Jimmy was a hugely respected President of the Law Society from 1972-74.

Locally, Jimmy was honoured as the Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow from 1977-1980 but it was perhaps in the international field that Jimmy was to make the greatest impact. Having been instrumental in developing the Section on General Practice of the International Bar Association, he was its second Chairman from 1978-80 and the Secretary General of the IBA from 1980-1984.  Unsurprisingly he was elected President in 1984. He was pleased that during his presidency he managed to establish links with Russia and China. Jimmy was also the driving force behind the establishment of the IBA Education Trust, a charitable foundation which promotes legal education world-wide. Under his aegis one of the early donations by the Trust enabled the IBA Chair of Law & Ethics in Medicine at Glasgow University to be set up in 1990. The Trust continues to flourish. Jimmy later became an honorary member of the IBA and the American Bar Association.

In all the offices he held, Jimmy made a virtue of informality. He had a gift for making people feel that they were included, that they and what they said were important. He was the least pompous of men. And, of course, he had the gift of humour, an effortless humour which was never cruel. A brilliant raconteur he lightened every formal occasion at which he spoke.

Jimmy was a kind man, a thoughtful man. He liked to remind me that he gave my wife flowers long before I did. She had been injured in a car accident while on her way to help at the Law Society’s AGM. Typically Jimmy was the first to be in touch with her to express his concern.

Jimmy was awarded a CBE in 1974 for his services to the Profession in Scotland. And in 1985 his alma mater Glasgow University conferred upon him an honorary LLD. No accolade gave him greater pleasure.

Outside the law Jimmy chaired the Board of Glasgow Maternity and Women’s Hospitals with which his father had earlier been associated and served as a member of the General Dental Council and as a member of Strathclyde University Court. Jimmy was also a Deacon of the Incorporation of Barbers. A man of many parts.

Keen as he was on all sport, Jimmy’s passion was golf. At one time a three handicap golfer Jimmy was a keen member at Pollok, Bruntsfield, the R & A and Luffness; he the captain of Western Gailes. It was a passion he was able to indulge all his life. His second hole in one was achieved at St Andrews at the age of 76. What pleasure that gave him. No one was a better companion on the links. No one told a golf story better.

Jimmy enjoyed life and life was good to him. But his life was touched with great sadness when his son Malcolm died prematurely while a student at St Andrews University. Jimmy married Grace in 1984 and they enjoyed a very full life, latterly spending the worst months of the Scottish winter at Sanibel Island in Florida. Winter golf continued to be important to Jimmy!

Jimmy is mourned and will be missed by a multitude of friends here in Scotland and round the world. He is survived by his wife Grace, his son David, and two grandchildren, Laura and Tom.

Kenneth Chrystie