Vale Alexander (Sandy) Tamerlane Sinclair Dawson SC (1972 – 2022)
2 December 2022
Banco Chambers mourns our dear friend and colleague Sandy Dawson SC, who passed away on 28 November 2022. This is a terrible loss. Sandy was truly larger than life. That he is no longer with us seems inconceivable.
Sandy was a rare and exceptional talent, and his wit and humour were unparalleled. He added colour and atmosphere to the Bar, at a time when real characters are becoming rarer. His quips in court, his stories and his impersonations were legendary. He was also a warm and generous friend and a loyal supporter of junior colleagues.
Sandy joined Banco Chambers as a member at its commencement in 2004, when he was a very junior barrister of only one year at the Bar and the whole venture was new and speculative. He backed himself, and us, and that says something of his fearless character. Sandy formed an important part of the ethos and reputation of our chambers. A former member of chambers, Fabian Gleeson, now a judge of the NSW Court of Appeal, used to tease him by calling him “Your Prominence…”, reflecting the sheer number of newspaper articles that would refer to “Prominent Sydney barrister, Mr Sandy Dawson SC…”. It was a fitting title. He was indeed prominent in the news media, and appropriately so.
Sandy endured his terrible illness with courage and equanimity. Visitors, expecting to be sad, would find Sandy telling jokes and stories. He never complained, or even commented on how unfair it was.
Sandy was devoted to his family, and we also have them very much in our hearts. Our thoughts are with his wife Alex and their four children, Jack, Freya, Holly and Henry. Also Sandy’s parents and brother, who have already suffered more than any family should have to suffer.
Vale Sandy.