Peter Blackett, a partner for more than 50 years with the North East’s oldest law firm, BHP Law, died while on his way to Jersey for Christmas.

Peter, a much-loved and trusted figure in the region, suffered a massive stroke while on board a ferry crossing the English Channel and was flown to hospital in Jersey by air ambulance.

He was transferred by helicopter to hospital in Southampton, where he underwent surgery, but passed away a few weeks short of his 79th birthday.

John Pratt, founder and Managing Partner with BHP Law, which has its head office in Darlington, had been Peter’s close friend and business partner for more than 30 years.

“He was a true gentleman, wise counsel and trusted adviser who treated his clients as friends,” said John.

Peter, who had the distinction of being a Notary Public, was particularly well known in farming circles, having worked primarily as Senior Partner in the BHP Law’s commercial and agricultural property team.

He was involved in many significant commercial and agricultural property transactions for major landowners and property developers across the region. In addition, he was Trustee and responsible for many large family Trusts.

John added: “He was a crucial part of the firm’s success, helping see us through good times and difficult times. He was much more than a business partner – he was part of the family.

“So much of what he did was based on building lasting relationships and, in some cases, he was acting for the fourth generations of families he had represented over the years.

“He was a good, old-fashioned family solicitor who was a wise counsel and trusted adviser. People came to him for legal advice, but they received so much more from him. Clients often ended up as friends.

“He treated clients with the same care and attention to detail as if they were members of his own family. As well as having great values, he was also a very skilled and knowledgeable lawyer. What he didn’t know wasn’t worth knowing and he will be an enormous miss, both personally and professionally.”

In an interview with The Northern Echo in 2022, to mark his 50th year as a partner with BHP Law, Peter said: “It’s all about relationships. It’s being there for your clients when they need you and earning their trust.”

When BHP Law began sponsoring the pantomime at Darlington Hippodrome in 2022, he was branded the “Peter Pan of the legal world”.

Peter started his law career by gaining work experience with Barugh and Wilkinson’s solicitors in his hometown of Guisborough. He qualified as a solicitor in 1970 and joined Steavensons Plant and Park, in Darlington.

That firm merged with Burt Hart and Pratt in 1993, becoming Blackett Hart and Pratt before rebranding as BHP Law in 2008.

Peter met his wife, Teresa, when she was working for a law firm in Stockton, and they married in 1971. They loved to spend Christmas at the same hotel in Jersey, and Peter carried on that tradition after she passed away in 2021.

It was through Teresa’s love of horseracing that Peter became an owner with trainer Michael Dods, at Denton, near Darlington. Though reluctant at first, he went on to enjoy plenty of success.

“I think it was a way for him to keep Teresa’s memory alive, and he loved to see her colours going past the winning post in first place,” said John.

Michael Dods added: “You couldn’t meet a nicer person than Peter. He was such a gentleman in every way – thoughtful, patient, supportive and very kind. He will be greatly missed.”

Peter leaves a brother, Richard, and was close to his three nieces. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed.