Everyone at 187 Chambers was shocked and saddened to learn that Gopal Hooper passed away last weekend.
Gop, as he was universally known, was one of the founder members of chambers, when it started life in the mid-1970s in rooms at 3 Middle Temple Lane with Ronald Grey QC as head. Over the next thirty or so years, Gop was at the centre of things as chambers grew, moving premises first to 1 Middle Temple Lane and then to 187 Fleet Street. For much of that time, he performed the onerous and thankless task of being Chambers Treasurer with diligence and calm.
As a practitioner, Gop adhered to the highest professional standards. An excellent lawyer, many barristers of a certain vintage first encountered him when he lectured in Civil Procedure at the Inns of Court School of Law. His practice developed ultimately into a purely criminal one and he had an enviable reputation as a formidable but always scrupulously fair opponent, and a charming and persuasive advocate. Later, he brought those qualities to bear when he sat as a Recorder in the Crown Court.
It was a measure of his reputation that he was called upon by the Foreign Office to help set up the prosecuting authority in Zimbabwe in the late 1980s.
Above all, Gop was a much-loved colleague for all of us who were lucky enough to be in chambers with him. He was always generous with his time to younger members and was an excellent pupil supervisor.
His generosity did not stop there. An early finish at court and return to chambers might result in him leading a group of us off to lunch, often at the much-missed India Club or for dim sum in Soho. Pupils or young juniors would find that they were not required to pay. Sometimes, advice would be given and anecdotes related over a pint or two in the Cock Tavern. Despite all this, Gop maintained an enviably trim physique.
Outside of chambers, Gop was a devoted family man. Sadly, his wonderful wife Manuela pre-deceased him. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, and chambers sends it heartfelt condolences to them.