DG Lamy notes with sadness the passing of Appellate Body Member Lockhart

“I am very saddened to announce the passing of John Lockhart whom I had come to hold in the highest esteem during the short period since my arrival here in September,” said DG Lamy. “My deepest condolences go to his wife, Juliet, and to their children and grandchildren.”

Mr Lockhart was appointed as a Member of the Appellate Body in December 2001. WTO Member Governments recently re-appointed him for a further 4-year term ending in December 2009. Mr Lockhart participated in 30 appeals and 4 arbitration proceedings.

Prior to joining the Appellate Body, Mr Lockhart was Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) working closely with developing countries on programmes directed towards poverty alleviation through the promotion of economic growth. He had also served as Judicial Reform Specialist at the World Bank, focusing on strengthening legal and judicial institutions and working closely with developing countries and economies in transition in their projects of judicial and legal reform. He was a highly respected Judge of the Federal Court of Australia for over 20 years.

“John's sudden and untimely departure has left us with a deep sense of loss,” said Mr A V Ganesan, Chairman of the Appellate Body, speaking on behalf of the Appellate Body. “John was a valuable colleague of ours and made an enormous contribution to the work of the Appellate Body.”