Barrister

Born: February 25, 1926;

Died: June 27, 2015.

The barrister Harvey McGregor, who has died in Edinburgh aged 89, specialised in damages, professional negligence and was the author of the definitive book on civil damages. Indeed, such was its authority it has recently been published in its 19th edition. For the 14th edition in 1980 a renowned legal paper wrote "McGregor has acquired a solid reputation and outstanding addition to the Common Law Library. This edition establishes his claim to a unique role as a scholar-practitioner on the English scene."

Mr McGregor was also a renowned academic and served with distinction as Warden of New College, Oxford (1985 - 96).

He was born in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, where his father worked as an engineer on the substantial railway yards which maintained and serviced many of the Highland lines. His grandfather had served as stationmaster in many of the stations.

He firstly attended Inverurie Academy and after two years evacuation to Scarborough Boys' School, returned to complete his education at Inverurie. He was to play a prominent role in the world of academia but always recalled with gratitude the firm educational grounding he had received at Inverurie Academy.

He then did his national service as a Flying Officer in the RAF. He then won the Hastings Scholarship to read law at Queen's College, Oxford in 1951. On qualifying he took up a teaching fellowship at Chicago University which led to him maintaining various American academic associations throughout his career.

He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1955 and then held various prestigious posts in the legal profession, including director of juridical science at Harvard, before returning to the UK to act as consultant to the Law Commission (1966-75).

He also became a renowned writer on legal matters and his first book was immediately recognised as a major contribution to the scholarship in the profession. He had approached a publishing house with a view to updating a standard work on damages (Mayne on Damages). However he convinced the publishers that it was so out of date that it should be totally revised. The first few editions were titled Mayne and McGregor on Damages but within a few years the Mayne was dropped. Such was the acclaim and Mr McGregor demonstrated such a grasp of the minutiae of a complex subject that he became a world authority on the subject.

In 1972, he was appointed a tutor in law and a Fellow of New College, Oxford. He was a most assiduously diligent lecturer - all his lectures were prepared in detail and delivered with a total understanding of the subject - often with added legal insights.

On his retirement, there was a splendid recital at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. Many major international and Oxford figures were involved but the concert ended with a grand duet with Mr McGregor and Sir Claus Moser (former Warden of Wadham College and chairman of the Royal Opera House) playing a duet with immense gusto and enthusiasm.

Also in retirement he maintained a close relationship with his chambers in Inner Temple. But he retired to Edinburgh's New Town and became much involved in the city's musical life. Mr McGregor used to hold musical evenings always giving young Scottish musicians the opportunity to perform in public. The two grand pianos in his sitting room were much in use and provided excellent entertainment for an enthusiastic small audience. Mr McGregor hugely enjoyed the occasions and he often played a duet with a friend or another pianist to close the proceeding. Then Mr McGregor served wine and the evening concluded in much social and musical harmony. His support of the arts throughout Scotland was considerable, but it was always done in a deft and undemonstrative manner.

His contribution to the legal profession and New College, Oxford ensured that Mr McGregor was a man much respected by colleagues in both professions. He was for 20 years president of the Harvard Law School Association of the United Kingdom (1981-2001), admitted to the Scottish Faculty of Advocates in 1995 and chairman of the London Theatre Council.

Mr McGregor, who was made a CBE last year, wrote widely in legal magazines. A review for his acclaimed book the English Draft Contract Code commented, "his work on damages is a lucid and comprehensive treatment of a dense and fast-moving topic."

He is survived by his long-term partner John Davy.

ALASDAIR STEVEN