Anthony Stainton

Born on 8 January 1913 to Evelyn Stainton, Anthony Stainton was schooled at Eton before going up to Christ Church, Oxford. Called to the bar in 1937, he practised at the Chancery Bar and then served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, reaching the rank of Captain. In 1943, he was called back from war service by the First Parliamentary Counsel who requested extra draftsmen for his office to deal with wartime legislation. He was made a Parliamentary Counsel in 1956, and then in 1972 became First Parliamentary Counsel, serving for four years until retirement in 1976.[1][2] During his time as a draftsman, he worked on many of the important fiscal acts of the post-war decades, skilfully dealing with the complexities of capital gains tax legislation; The Times described him as a "meticulous draftsman".[1] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1967 and promoted to Knight Commander in 1974; the following year he took silk and in 1984 became an honorary bencher of Lincoln's Inn.[2]

Stainton enjoyed watching horse races and playing golf.[1] He married twice, firstly to Barbara Russell, and then secondly to Rachel Frances (died 2009), daughter of Colonel Charles Edward Coghill, CMG; by his first wife he had three daughters.[2][3][4] He ded on 7 November 1988.[1]