Michael David Thomas, CMG, KC, SC (born 8 September 1933; ) is a retired barrister, who served as the penultimate Attorney General of Hong Kong before the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. He served in the post from 1983 to 1988, under the governorships of Edward Youde and David Wilson.
Early life
Thomas was born to parents Cardigan and Kathleen Thomas in southeast England. He attended Chigwell School.
Education
Thomas attended the London School of Economics. He received a Middle Temple Blackstone Entrance Scholarship in 1952. He was called to the Middle Temple and became a barrister in 1955.
Career
Practice in England
Until 1983, Thomas specialised in commercial and maritime law in England. He was Treasury Counsel for the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy as a junior and advised on the 'Torrey Canyon' casualty. He acted for the Tribunal at several maritime inquiries and an inquiry into an aircraft crash near Heathrow.
Thomas was made a Queen's Counsel in 1973. He was appointed a bencher of Middle Temple in 1981.
In silk, Thomas appeared as counsel before tribunals in England (including the House of Lords and Privy Council), Singapore, Hong Kong, New York and Lisbon. He sat as Chairman of Boards of Investigation appointed by the UK government and by the Liberian government into shipping casualties.
Practice in Hong Kong and England
After finishing his term as Attorney General, Thomas recommenced private practice at the bar in England and Hong Kong, and established himself as a leading advocate. He was a member of Temple Chambers, Hong Kong. and 2009.
Retirement
Thomas retired from practice at the end of 2013. His last court hearing was in the Hong Kong Court of Appeal in the case of Re Mably. The Court of Appeal in their judgment thanked Thomas for his service to Hong Kong as follows:
Personal life
Thomas has been married three times. By his first wife, Jane Lena Mary, he has four children; David Francis Cardigan born on 16 April 1960; Sian Katharine Mary born on 22 January 1962, Daniel Michael Winston born on 30 January 1965, and Rachel Fiona born on 31 July 1969.
His current wife is Lydia Dunn, Baroness Dunn, who was the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong 1985-8 and of the Executive Council of Hong Kong in 1988–92.