A brave barrister who never stopped smiling even when fighting cancer has died, prompting a flood of tributes.
Ben Morris was born in Crosby and educated at Waterloo Grammar School and the University of Liverpool, before he travelled the world. Returning home, he decided to become a barrister and, after being called to the Bar in 1996, became one of the region's top advocates.
Renowned for his "warmth, kindness and sense of fun", the dad-of-three and grandad-of-two was a "formidable" lawyer, who earned the respect of everyone he met. And when diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, "he fought his illness in the same way as he defended his clients - with courage and determination".
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The 64-year-old passed away this week - leading to a wave of glowing and heartfelt tributes - including from his proud family. His wife, Stephanie Morris, told the ECHO her life was lit up by the "wonderful man" she met in 1980 at the age of 21.
Mrs Morris said: "He was so well loved, especially by me. He should have been like John Bishop and gone into being a comedian, he made everyone laugh, even in the middle of a crown court trial. He loved telling a joke and having everybody laughing, even the judges."
The keen Everton fan was treated at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and for six years after he was first diagnosed with the disease, continued to practise. He began his legal career with the Chambers of John Mockett, before he moved to 25 Castle Street Chambers, then joined Chavasse Court Chambers in 2008.
Liverpool's top judge, Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said: "Ben was an outstanding advocate who was admired by all his colleagues at the Bar and by the local judges before whom he appeared. He fought his illness in the same way as he defended his clients - with courage and determination."
Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: "He was a formidable advocate and highly respected by his colleagues at the Bar and the judiciary. He faced his long illness with a stoic, no nonsense bravery. He will be remembered with huge fondness and respect by all at the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts."
Michael Bagley, head of chambers at Chavasse, said Mr Morris was "renowned for his fearless advocacy, his dedication to the independent Bar and his good friendship" and would be "greatly missed". Fellow Chavasse Court Chambers barrister Tom Watson explained what made his friend so unique.
Mr Watson said: "Ben was my pal but then Ben was everyone's pal - his warmth, kindness and sense of fun made sure of that. He really was the 6ft3in heavyweight 'teddy bear' that he appeared.
"Inside the courtroom however, and as a jury advocate, Ben was a quite exceptional barrister, with his own unique style. His sharp mind, together with an innate ability to connect with a jury - not forgetting that soft and charming local accent - made him a highly persuasive and formidable force.
"A throwback perhaps? A real 'jury man'. I miss him. My thoughts are with Stephanie and the family."
Mrs Morris praised the care her partner received from the NHS and described how the family man "went through everything they could throw at him" in terms of treatment at Clatterbridge, before being supported at his Liverpool home over the last 11 months.
She said: "His illness was so awful. He gave up work in May last year and he'd been at home with us since. We really enjoyed him being home.
"He had two daughters and a son, and recently became a grandfather to two granddaughters. He loved them very much - he was a very loving person, he loved us all.
"He used to get up every morning, go to work with a smile on his face, and come home with a smile on his face. He was an absolutely wonderful man."
