Charles Milne, 1954-2018

Scottish Legal News is saddened to report the untimely death of former solicitor Charlie Milne who has died suddenly at the age of 63 while cycling in Spain.

The news of his death on Friday left family, colleagues, friends and members of the legal community in Fife and Tayside shocked and stunned.

Charlie was a native of Dundee where he attended Kirkton High School and graduated from Dundee University with a degree in law. He was employed as a social worker by Dundee council before embarking on a legal apprenticeship in Inverness with Macleod and MacCallum.

His early involvement as a social worker was an indicator of his caring nature and throughout his legal career and extensive service to the community his concern for ordinary people shone through.

On completion of his traineeship, he returned to Dundee and took up a position with Doran and McGinley, a firm closely linked to the labour movement. He later became a partner in McGinley, Milne and McDonagh before moving to Fife where he joined the prominent Fife legal firm of Baird & Co as a partner. He was to serve with the firm for 17 years until his retiral in 2007.

His professional integrity throughout was matched by his thoroughness, enthusiasm and good humour.

Charlie also served as a children’s panel member, a social security tribunals chairperson and a council member of the Scottish Law Agents Society. He was appointed to the Parole Board of Scotland in September 2007.

Charlie became an active board member, and ultimately chair, of Kingdom Housing Association, following his retirement as a solicitor with Baird & Co.

He was passionate about the provision of affordable housing and recognised the wider health, well-being and educational benefits to be gained from people having their own high- quality home.

Freya Lees, chair of Kingdom HA said on behalf of the Board: “We are deeply saddened by this news. Charlie made an enormous contribution to the governance of the Association over many years and we all benefitted from his commitment, knowledge and counsel. Our thoughts are with his family at this time while his friendship, wisdom and humour will be sorely missed by us all.”

Kingdom chief executive Bill Banks added: “ I have known Charlie for over 25 years. Firstly, in his professional capacity as a solicitor for Kingdom and more recently as a Board member, former Chair of KHA and current Chair of Kingdom Support and Care.”

“Charlie was passionate about many issues and was very supportive of affordable housing, tackling homelessness and providing support and care. Charlie was very well respected by all of Kingdom’s Board members, management and staff and will be greatly missed.”

Charlie was active in his local community serving as chair of Cupar Community Council and also establishing a local Blues club as well as a café for teenagers. He was an active member of North East Fife Labour Party for many years and stood as a candidate for the Scottish Parliament.

He is survived by his wife Irene, sons Christopher and Gareth and two grandchildren. Details of Charlie’s funeral are yet to be announced.

Graham Ogilvy