Huge turnout at funeral of ‘unique and brilliant’ lawyer

It was standing room only at Darlington Crematorium as mourners gathered for the funeral of Peter Blackett, one of the country’s longest-serving legal partners.

Peter, a partner for more than 50 years with the North East’s oldest legal firm, BHP Law, died after suffering a stroke just before Christmas. He was 78.

Celebrant, Laura Parks, who led the service, said it was “very rare” for so many people to want to show their respects, describing Peter as “a unique and brilliant person”.

The order of service from Peter Blackett’s funeral (Image: Peter Barron)

Laura told the congregation that Peter had led “a remarkable life” and was a “wonderful character”.

The eulogy was read by Peter’s goddaughter, Rachel, daughter of his long-standing friend and business partner, John Pratt.

Rachel said BHP Law was “a second family” to Peter and his passing had “left a massive hole in the business and the lives of those who worked alongside him”.

She described him as “a man of great values and immense kindness”, adding that he was also “practical, determined and focused”.

Peter Blackett with John and Karen Pratt (Image: Chris Barron)

Rachel told how Peter was born during a blizzard in Guisborough in 1947 and was so unwell after the birth that a doctor drove him through the snow to hospital.

Instead of going to university, Peter chose to gain ‘on-the-job’ experience with a firm of solicitors in Guisborough. He couldn’t remember why he chose the law, but he always had “a sense of fairness and wanting to help others”.

Peter qualified as a solicitor in 1970 and joined Steavensons Plant and Park, in Darlington. That firm merged with Burt Hart and Pratt in 1993, becoming Blackett Hart and Pratt before rebranding as BHP Law in 2008.

Peter met his late wife, Teresa, when she was working for a law firm in Stockton, and they married in 1971. Rachel said his “love for Teresa never faltered” when he became her devoted carer after she suffered a stroke in 1999.

Rachel said Peter found “a third family” when he started staying at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, at Hurworth-on-Tees, after Teresa passed away. In all he stayed for 741 nights and came to know every staff member by name.

Musical tributes included Peter’s great-niece, Ella, playing ‘Sea Mist’ on the piano, reflecting the love of the sea he shared with Teresa.

The final song was the Tina Turner hit ‘Simply The Best’ – not only summing up Peter for those who knew him, but reminding colleagues of the time a tribute act got him up to dance at a Christmas staff party.

Memories were shared after the funeral at Rockliffe Hall. Donations in Peter’s memory were requested in aid of the RNLI (Scarborough) and The Stroke Association.