I have known Master John Cone for 55 years. We met when I was a young barrister seeking to augment my earnings from the Bar by teaching part time at Liverpool University and he was a first year undergraduate. Over three years, I was his tutor in international law, tort and criminology. Although I do not suppose that it is an accident that he chose to specialise at the Bar in company law, he always demonstrated great empathy with those less fortunate than himself; by way of example, he willingly helped to run summer camps for boys from approved schools. This empathy ran through his life and manifested itself time and time again, not least in the Middle Temple. He was always open to new experiences: not many would have worked as a postman in Germany while on a student exchange!
He was Called to the Bar at the same time as Master Lloyd-Jones and, during pupillage, they shared a flat, remaining close friends both with him and his wife, Annemarie, who was also Called at the same time. Joining what was then 24 Old Buildings but later became Erskine Chambers at the same time as David Richards, now Lord Richards of Camberwell and Master Leslie Kosmin KC, he threw himself into practice combining a serious intellect with a light touch and a great sense of humour. For him, the work involved complex corporate transactions, shareholder unfair preference litigation and takeover battles, but he could always be relied upon to inject an element of humour into all that went on in chambers.
Master Cone was a man of intense loyalty to all the institutions with whom he came into contact. To the Freemasons, who supported him financially after his father tragically died at a young age, to his old school St Pauls, to the University of Liverpool, to his chambers where he was an outstanding Head of Chambers, deeply committed to its success and the welfare of its members and, in particular, to the Middle Temple where he was delighted to be elected as a Bencher. He had the particular honour of being Called to the Bench in 2009 alongside a future Prime Minister and future Prince of Wales. He saw his election, however, as an opportunity for service and that is precisely what he did, particularly by sitting on innumerable scholarship panels. Domus continues to interview every applicant for a scholarship on the basis that those who aspire to the Bar can demonstrate aptitude in many ways, both academically but also by the power of oral persuasion. In this role, he truly excelled.
But there were other sides to Master Cone. The first concerned his love of music and, in particular, opera – especially German opera and the work of Wagner. More than one of his friends were inveigled into that world. He was not always successful but Lord Richards, for one, spoke about the sound advice he was given: ‘Forget time and just let the music wash over you.’
Second, he was an exceptionally kind and loyal friend to all with whom he came into contact. Relaxing in his company meant dealing with his inevitable humour but if there was an issue that bothered, his focus would be 100% on that issue and helping to visualise and implement a solution.
Finally, he was a truly devoted husband to Alex, father to Sam, father-in-law to Britt, grandfather to Charlotte and godfather. In 2018, he and Alex retired to Yorkshire where his heart lay, but he rejoiced in nothing more than spending time with his family. We all mourn Master Cone’s passing but the loss that Domus feels is nothing compared to the loss felt by his family to whom we all offer our sincere condolences. The world is poorer without him.
Obituary kindly written by Master Brian Leveson.
