Lord Steyn, Law Lord – obituary

Lord Steyn, who has died aged 85, was one of a small number of South African lawyers who came to Britain in the 1970s because of their opposition to apartheid; well known for his liberal views on democracy, human rights, free speech and the rule of law, he was surprised to be appointed a High Court Judge in 1985 by the Conservative lord chancellor Lord Hailsham; he was appointed a Law Lord in 1995.

During his time in the House of Lords, Johan Steyn never opened his mouth in the chamber, believing that judges had no role in the legislature. Yet he still managed to make headlines, not only through his judgments, but in lectures and articles in academic journals, and was a leading advocate of the principle that judges should not defer to politicians simply because politicians are accountable to the electorate.

Retirement in 2005 allowed him to cast off any remaining shackles, and as the newly...