Masters of the Bench

Alastair was educated at Fairfield Grammar School in Bristol and at the Universities of Aberdeen (LLB) and London (University College – LLM). He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in May 1972, whilst teaching public international and European law at UCL and at the Civil Service College, preparing UK civil servants for the UK’s accession to the EC in 1973.

Between 1973 and 1989, Alastair was an official of the European Commission, negotiating bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, serving for 5 years as a diplomat in the Commission Delegation in Tokyo, legal advisor in the Cabinet of Lord Cockfield, Commission Vice President for the Internal Market and head of the insurance division, under Vice President Sir Leon Brittan.

Since leaving the Commission, Alastair was a founding partner of the EU law firm Forrester, Norall and Sutton and, following its merger with White and Case, a partner in this global law firm. Following his retirement in 2010, Alastair has been a member of Brick Court Chambers and an avocat at the Belgian Bar.

Alastair has taught European and international law around the world, most recently for judges in EU Member States.

Alastair has been married to Eileen since 1968, has four children and five grandchildren and is an enthusiastic traveller, sportsman and musician.