Sydney Kentridge 100

A member of FUL’s International Advisory Board

On 5 November 2022 Freedom Under Law had the privilege and singular pleasure of congratulating its oldest office-bearer on the occasion of his one-hundredth birthday. Until his retirement from active practice ten years ago, Sir Sydney Kentridge KCMG KC was undoubtedly the foremost advocate in the English-speaking world. More importantly, for South Africans, his name is synonymous with fearless defence of human rights. Thus FUL has throughout its existence enjoyed the benefit of Sir Sydney’s counsel and support.

PHOTOGRAPH © FREEDOM UNDER LAW
George Bizos (FUL Board member at the time) and Sydney Kentridge (FUL International Advisory Board member to date) at the party given to mark the opening of FUL’s new office, Johannesburg, 15 February 2018

Two of FUL’s South African Board members recently had an opportunity to pay homage to the life and work of this remarkable man. While participating in the launch of a book relating to Sir Sydney’s incomparable career as defender of the targets of the apartheid regime, Johann Kriegler and Jeremy Gauntlett KC SC were able to highlight some of their personal memories of their celebrated colleague. Fortuitously the proceedings were recorded and can be accessed below:

We are proud to commemorate our association with an advocate of such singular achievement and standing in the annals of our country’s troubled past, and record our gratitude for what he has meant to us over the years.