Larger-than-life QC goes out in style

Robert Fardell's widow, Kate, is comforted at the funeral in Devonport. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Robert Fardell, QC, was there in body, soul and style, epitomised by his 1964 Rolls-Royce parked in the grounds of the Anglican Church at Devonport.

At his funeral yesterday, Auckland's legal eagles came out in force, so much so that police provided security because among the mourners were 10 High Court judges.

Mr Fardell, 52, who drowned off Narrow Neck Beach on the North Shore on Sunday, was one of the country's top courtroom lawyers.

Hundreds attended his funeral and more than half had to watch the service in the parish hall via a video link.

Family friend Lance Gravatt said Mr Fardell was larger than life, with a huge sphere of friends from diverse areas such as the arts, theatre, business, law and the SPCA.

He had a passion for his dogs and classic cars.

Mr Fardell would cruise around Devonport in his large White Cloud Rolls-Royce, which he affectionately called "Kate's kitchen" because it was bought with money that had been put aside for his wife's kitchen renovations.

Mr Gravatt said Mr Fardell's love of cars was demonstrated when, aged 20, he cashed in his life insurance policy while his parents were overseas to buy his first Jaguar.

But he was most in his element when strutting his stuff in the courtroom, Mr Gravatt said.

Mr Fardell was a character and showman.

"I can well remember that naughty look he would give over the top of his half-rim glasses ... with a little wry grin and a flutter of his eyes as he thought he had made a really good point ... and turn back to the courtroom to give a quiet thumbs-up when he thought he'd done a really good cross-examination."

Mr Gravatt said Mr Fardell loved the law, not so much the pomp and ceremony but the theatre of courtrooms and the intellectual challenge of an argument.

"Many have said he was our Rumpole of the Bailey."

When Mr Fardell was made a QC in 2002 he was pleased to get a silk gown, not because of its status but because it was cooler, lighter and easier to carry around than the woollen ones.

"He would screw it up and tuck it into the corner of his briefcase."

Mr Gravatt said those who knew Mr Fardell's cellphone voicemail message could imagine him there yesterday, thanking them for coming and to "please have a fantastic day".

"And he'd mean it, but it also showed his wry sense of humour. At the end of the day, who calls their barrister because they're having a fantastic day?"