Sudden death of High Steward of Southwark

Judge Hyam, who was also Recorder of London and the Old Bailey's most senior judge, collapsed and died at a barristers' clerks dinner where he was due to present awards on Thursday night. Hours earlier he had ordered a retrial in the case involving the family of Omar Sharif.

The speeches at the dinner were cancelled and replaced with prayers. The following morning tributes were paid in Judge Hyam's court which was crowded with members of the legal profession.

Judge Hyam died on the day that it was announced that as High Steward of Southwark he would again be presiding over the Southwark Manor Court Leet this autumn.