George Carman QC, the most famous courtroom advocate of his generation, died yesterday at the age of 71 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.
The celebrated QC, who appeared in many of the most noted libel cases of the last decade, winning most of them, finally lost a 4-1/2 year battle with the disease which became public only last September after he was forced into sudden retirement on medical advice.
Mr Carman, who first came to prominence defending the former Liberal leader, Mr Jeremy Thorpe, on charges of conspiracy to kill and incitement to murder, moved to the libel courts late in life. But he built up an unrivalled reputation, elbowing out long-established libel silks to become the QC newspapers first reached for when a libel writ was in the offing.
He appeared for or against so many famous clients and adversaries that his name, unusually for a barrister, became as recognisable as theirs. His son, Dominic, said yesterday: "George was a small man but with his stage as a courtroom and his audience as the jury he was a giant among men".
He said his father's death had come sooner than expected. A few weeks ago he had spoken of a possible comeback, representing Sir Richard Branson against his unofficial biographer, Tom Bower. "He regretted enormously not being able to act for Richard Branson in his case against Tom Bower next year. He was really looking forward to the challenge of that case.
"His spirits were always in the courtroom. That's where he lived and that's where he came to life."
Mr Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye, said the QC would be remembered for turning "the courtroom into melodrama".
He added: "He was the first who understood it was all about playing to the jury rather than convincing the judge. He was also almost fantastically lucky - he always had a surprise, an ace up his sleeve.
"He made the law seem interesting, which it isn't, and he played his part with enormous relish." His name became a threat in itself, he said, for those considering libel action.
In private life he was also very good company, said Mr Hislop. "He was very unpompous and very funny."
Mr Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, said: "Every editor reached for George Carman when a writ arrived because he was the best jury advocate of his generation. Libel is such a lottery you could never be guaranteed to win, but with George on your side you certainly narrowed the odds."
Mr Carman represented the Guardian in the libel action brought by Jonathan Aitken which led to the former Tory minister's jailing for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
In his last high-profile victory a year ago he successfully defended the Harrods owner, Mr Mohammed al-Fayed, who was sued by Mr Neil Hamilton over allegations that the former Tory MP took cash for asking parliamentary questions.
Another leading QC, Mr Anthony Scrivener, called Mr Carman "simply the best cross-examiner in the business". One adversary, Jani Allan, the South African journalist who sued over allegations that she had an affair with the neo-Nazi leader, Eugene Terre-blanche, told him: "Whatever the award for libel, being cross-examined by you would not make it enough money."
Mr Carman, who was divorced, died at his home in Wimbledon, south-west London. His close friend, Ms Karen Phillips, said: "I am just glad that he has gone quickly and he has not suffered at all and it's been very, very peaceful."