A Lawyer’s Trinity: In memory of a compatriot from another nation
| DOI | 10.1177/2032284420972822 |
| Date | 01 March 2021 |
| Published date | 01 March 2021 |
| Subject Matter | Analysis/Opinion |
Article
A Lawyer’s Trinity: In
memory of a compatriot
from another nation
Andreas Bartosch
Rechtsanwalt Partner, Belgium
Scott and I shared, among other things but most importantly, a similarity in the regions we stem
from. Scotland and Bavaria (the former his, the latter mine) bear remarkable resemblances, of
which I would not possibly be aware had I not had the chance of knowing him. This starts with the
colours of our national flags; both clad in blue and white with a heraldic animal on them – in both
cases the lion. It then continues with the beauty of the landscapes (on the one hand depicted by the
Highlands and islands, and on the other by lakes and mountains) and entails the traditional love of
the people native to these lands in bonding with their beauties – by indulging in hiking, hunting
and, sometimes, horseback riding. Perhaps tragically, both regions also lack sovereignty. Not only
have we lost our royal families (the House of Stuart and the House of Wittelsbacher, respectively),
we have also had taken away our former status as independent nations and thus become subjects of
governments located in places which we perhaps share much less with than with each other.
Scott and I, however, shared more than just these origins. In a town like Brussels which is
characterised by giant European administrations, surrounded by similarly giant firms of all kinds
(legal, economic, political, etc.), Scott and I looked somewhat like relics of an age gone by. As
single practitioners, each one in his own niche, we had the opportunity to work alongside each
other, and at times even together, for almost a decade.
I realise that this journal is one of criminal law, as this is what Scott has developed as his unique
practice area. However, my personal respect for both the competence of Scott as well as for the
reputation of this journal is far too high for me to venture, toddler-like, into this field – trying to
invent some ‘words of general wisdom’ which would only be capable of sparking laughter and
frowns, rather than fulfilling the mission of my contribution which is to honour the memory of
Scott by telling my story of him. However, this time, in which I was able to share thoughts and
entertain discussions, opened up a perspective of criminal law which I am exploiting only now and
which I will expand upon later in this piece.
The following I shall divide into two main parts: one depicting Scott as I saw him through my
lenses, and one in which I shall describe his legacy – what me having been able to know him has
left behind.
Corresponding author:
Andreas Bartosch, Rechtsanwalt Partner, Avenue Palmerston 26, B-1000 Bru¨ssel, Belgium.
E-mail: andreas.bartosch@eurojura.be
New Journal of European Criminal Law
ªThe Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/2032284420972822
njecl.sagepub.com
NJECL
NJECL
2021, Vol. 12(1) 93 –95
Analysis/Opinion
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