Post by Ivanpal Grewal

It was meant to be a routine morning in Court. I walked in at 9.00am. All the lawyers for the Respondents were present. Adam Haikal, who was to appear for the Applicant, was not. We tried calling him. No one could get through. I reached out to a mutual friend to check if everything was alright and was told that he was unwell. I appraised the Judge of the situation and I gave my undertaking that I would inform Adam of the outcome. A few hours later, I received the call that Adam was no more. It still feels surreal writing those words. I did not know Adam for very long, nor particularly well. But in our short time as opponents, he left an impression. He was clever, respectful and engaging — all the traits one hopes to see at the Bar. He carried himself with quiet confidence and courtesy, even in contest. There was promise there. A career ahead of him. A future unfolding. The loss of life is always painful. I know that first-hand. But the loss of a young life is especially harrowing. So much unrealised. So much left unsaid. So much that was meant to be. Rest in peace, my learned friend.