• May 25, 2023

“A Sikh Turban among Wigs” a front-page headline given in reference to Dr Preetam Singh Q.C by the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 28th April 1976. What is a Sikh Turban? Why isn’t he wearing a wig? He doesn’t look like a Queens Counsel? – Perhaps some of the questions that many of the general public would have pondered when reading the headline. Dr Preetam Singh Q.C was shaking the establishment as he was elected to advocate and stand before some of the most renowned Judges and lawmakers of the land. At the time, very little was known of Dr Preetam Singh Q.C. This article delves into what we have now uncovered of the first Sikh Silk/QC in British legal history.

Early Life

Preetam was born on 1st October 1914 in the village of Nahal, Jalandhar located in the Indian northern state of Punjab. At a young age, Preetam & his father left for Nairobi, Kenya. This was at a time when many Indian people were migrating from India to Kenya as part of the British East Africa Protectorate, facilitated and controlled by the British Empire.

Prior to beginning his legal journey, Preetam commenced an apprenticeship as a Station Master at a local Transport Training School in Nairobi, at the age of 15. After maintaining this role for 17 years, Preetam was later promoted to the rank of an Instructor & eventually came to the UK, where he continued his role at the LMS School of Transport. As World War II struck, Preetam selflessly offered his services to the British Government by instructing newly conscripted British Soldiers as part of their mandatory Military Training.

Post-World War II, Preetam made the decision to complete his Senior Cambridge level examinations at the London University in Nairobi (equivalent to the modern-day GCSE/A Levels). After attaining these qualifications, Preetam went on to complete his Law Degree at Kings College London. He then went on to commence his Bar Finals (now Barrister Training Course) at the prestigious Inns of Court School of Law. At the time Preetam was entering into the profession, around the 1930’s, the ‘Bar’ lacked diversity in every sense. The profession was widely regarded as an ‘exclusive club’, with little room for individuals outside the traditional demographic to enter. A profession which was effectively ‘Closed Off’ to individuals like Preetam. It is also of note that that Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru (India’s first Prime Minister) were disbarred from the Honourable Society of Inner Temple for alleged ‘agitation’ against British Colonial rule around these times.

Nevertheless, Preetam (herein referred to as ‘Dr Singh’) successfully completed his Bar Finals and was subsequently called to the Bar at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn on the 27th November 1951.

Practice at the Bar

Despite facing immense difficulty in securing Pupillage, Dr Singh’s staunch dedication to the legal profession remained resolute. As a display of commitment, he worked for Messrs J.A. & H.E. Farnfield Solicitors without any pay. It was only after 5 years of working voluntarily, that he obtained Pupillage at 38 Park Square Chambers in Leeds. Dr Singh’s character received high praise from John Collins, who served as the Head of Chambers at that time. Collins commended Dr Singh’s personal charm and willingness to assist others, which had resulted in him forming numerous friendships. Additionally, Collins emphasized that Dr Singh’s unwavering dedication to the Bar aligns precisely with the requirements of the legal profession.

Following the completion of his pupillage, Preetam harbored the belief that a larger set would grant him greater financial remuneration and further his career development. Consequently, he made the decision to join the newly established Wilberforce Chambers in Leeds in the 1960s. Preetam’s ambition was fulfilled as he established a thriving practice, specializing in Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, and Personal Injury across the North Eastern Circuit.

Dr Singh quickly gained a reputation for his meticulous ‘attention to detail’ and eloquent advocacy, regularly appearing before the Queen’s Bench Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal in prominent cases such as: Singh v Lyon Maid PLC [1991] and more notably the case of R v Home Secretary & Another. Ex Parte Bhajan Singh [1975] before Lord Denning, Geoffery Lane & M.R., Browne. This case gained significant media attention due to the bizarre nature of the facts, it involved an illegal immigrant who was detained in HMP Winson Green Prison, pending deportation. The applicant (Mr Bhajan Singh) informed authorities that he wished to marry before he was deported & that the proposed marriage had been arranged by relatives’ months prior to his arrest. The Home Office eventually decided that there “was no reasonable ground” under Sch 2 para 21(1)(a) Immigration Act 1971 that would authorise his temporary release for his marriage. Although this may sound like an insignificant case, it was in fact one of the first cases which dealt with such unusual circumstances and showed Dr Singh’s determination to take on cases when others would show no interest in challenging.

Throughout his practice at the Bar, Preetam maintained an active relationship with Gray’s Inn, stating in a letter to Oswald Terry (Under-Treasurer of Gray’s Inn) that “the satisfaction which a derive from successfully practising at the Bar has been made possible not only by my membership of this inn (Gray’s Inn), but also by the magnanimity of its Benchers and the courtesy, kindness & helpfulness of the staff”.

“Elegant White Silk with Gilded Gold embroidery”

A ‘Silk’ is a title awarded to Barristers who have demonstrated exceptional skills and expertise in their legal practice, and to those who have made significant contributions to the legal profession and to the wider community. Being appointed as a Silk is considered a significant achievement in the legal profession and as a mark of excellence within your respected field/area of law.

Dr Singh was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel (QC) on the 27th of April 1976 for his steadfast commitment and excellence at the Bar, and thus became the first Sikh Barrister to receive this honour. Not only was Dr Singh the first Sikh Barrister to receive Silk, but he was also the first Barrister to wear a Turban as opposed to the Traditional ceremonial horse-haired Barrister’s Wig that practising Barrister’s wear. The Liverpool Daily Post dedicated a front-page headline to the milestone that Dr Singh had overcome at the time and described Dr Singh as being widely distinguished amongst the large procession of high-profile Silks & Judges by his “Elegant White Silk Turban, embroidered with Gold”.

Commitment to Racial Equality

Dr Singh was described by The Sikh Times as the “Bhapaji of the Punjabi Literary World “and as a “man who devoted every fibre of his body to Seva”. Dr Singh was a strong advocate for racial equality and the inclusion of International/Non-English Students at the Bar, creating an Advocacy Scholarship Award within Gray’s Inn which was awarded to Foreign Pupils/Student Members whose second language was English. Dr Singh’s commitment to Racial Equality was further highlighted when Merlyn Rees (Former Secretary of State) appointed Dr Singh as one of the founding members of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in 1977, the primary non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom which aimed to address racial discrimination and promote racial equality. The CRE was replaced by (what is now known as) the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

After retirement in 1982, Dr Singh moved to Montreal, Canada where he continued to actively serve the Sikh community in the management & restoration of Gurdwaras. Dr Singh played a monumental role in the drafting and formulating of the ‘Charter & By Laws of the Gurdwara’ alongside Prithipal Singh Saluja, Attar Singh Chawla, & Surjit Singh Rehal. A regulation which is still upheld in Gurdwaras across Canada to this day to ensure the efficient running & governing of Local Gurdwaras and Gurdwara Committees. Dr Singh was also an active member of the Sri Nanakana Sahib Foundation in Pakistan, the primary organisation that helped in the restoration & maintenance of Nanakana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Dr Singh played a vital role in the formation of the World Sikh Organization (WSO) after the attack on Golden Temple, Amritsar in 1984. He and Dr Devinder Singh Chahal were the representatives of Montreal Sikh Community in the first conference held in New York to form the WSO on the 28th July 1984. Dr Singh passed away on December 10th 2002 after months of battling heart illness, at the age of 88.

Although very little is documented on Preetam’s life and accomplishments, it is clear that he was a man of exceptional character, driven by a deep-seated desire to break down barriers and serve his community in a selfless manner. His unwavering commitment to positive change is a testament to the transformative power of a single individual, and his legacy continues to inspire those who strive to make a meaningful impact on the world.

The life Dr Preetam Singh Q.C was revolutionary, both for the legal profession & the Sikh community at large. He not only shattered the foundations of racial disparity prevalent in the legal field, but he also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations. By laying down the bricks and mortar of the legal landscape, he created a path for others to enter the profession, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.

By Chandeep Singh Kundi: Barrister Training Course with LLM at BPP Law School
with thanks to Baldip Aulak, Paul Millan, Manjit Gill KC, Katherine Gwyn, Gray’s Inn & Wilberforce Chambers