Obituary: leading construction lawyer Paul Darling OBE KC

In 2017, he took the unusual step of moving to 39 Essex Chambers, where he led the Construction and Commercial team. Over his distinguished career, Darling represented clients on many high-profile construction cases.

These included the famous McAlpine v Panatown, which became a leading case on the rights of third parties, the well-documented case of Walter Lilly v McKay, and the collapse of the Holbeck Hall hotel in Scarborough. Darling wrote and edited several publications on the subject of construction law.

Aside from his many successes as a barrister, he was an avid sports fan and supporter of Newcastle United. He was proud of his grandfather, Jack Allen, who scored for Newcastle in the 1932 FA Cup final.

Darling also spent much of his time attending horse racing meets. He was chair of the Tote between 2008 and 2014 and latterly chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board until his death. Sports law was another of his many interests.

He was known for his generosity of spirit, mentoring and supporting many junior colleagues and aspiring lawyers. He was also the chairman of Darling’s Pharmacy, the family business, established in 1905 by John Darling, in which he took an active interest.

Darling leaves behind his wife Camilla and family.

Paul Darling OBE KC, born 1960, died 2024.