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On 1 July 2024, a large congregation gathered in Temple Church to celebrate the life of Sir Stephen Oliver KC, who died on 8 April 2024, aged 85.
The service recognised all aspects of Stephen’s full life. His son Adam told us about his peripatetic childhood as the son of a naval officer, living in 18 homes in as many years; his schooldays; meeting his wife Dawn, a fellow member of Middle Temple; and Stephen the family man.
Lord Carnwath, former Supreme Court Justice and Senior President of Tribunals, spoke of Stephen’s stellar career as a member, and then head, of Pump Court Tax Chambers, which included representing the taxpayer in Furness v Dawson, and his enormous contribution as a tribunal judge. As Presiding Special Commissioner and President of the VAT Tribunals he was central to the creation of the new tax appeals regime and was knighted for his efforts in 2007.
We also heard from Lord Carnwath of Stephen’s talent as a cellist and passion for music. The service reflected these. The Temple Singers performed Vaughan Williams’ ‘Linden Lea’ and Rheinberger’s ‘Abendlied’ and Sally Pendlebury played Sally Beamish’s cello piece ‘Miranda Dreaming’. There was introductory music by Elgar and Ireland and the magnificent Temple Church organ was in full throat for the closing voluntary, Bach’s Concerto in C. But perhaps the greatest insight came from Christopher Matthew, who read the poem he had written for Stephen’s 80th birthday, which concluded:
‘You are not really old’, his grandchildren said.
‘You are clever, and funny and smart,
And as busy as ever and still go-ahead;
For your age, you are well young at heart’.
‘You are so right’ said Stephen, ‘I look slightly worn,
But I’ve never had quite so much fun.
It’s a long time ago since the day I was born,
Yet I feel that my life’s just begun’.
He will be sorely missed, not least by all at TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People, who will remember him with great affection and gratitude for his tireless work for Bridge the Gap over the past 25 years.
