Hilaire McCoubrey was an expert on the law of armed conflict or the law of war. Those terms themselves appear to be an oxymoron, and his relationship to them seems incongruous for such a gentle man. But if you give the subject its current, more fashionable name – ‘humanitarian law’ – Hilaire's association with the subject is thoroughly understandable. His purpose, after all, was to inject humanitarian principles into a hostile environment. That was both his professional calling and an essential element of his character. During the brief period of our association, before his untimely death, I came to admire and respect him as a colleague and genuinely value him as a friend.

Hilaire had exceptional academic achievements and encouraged others to think and write about the subjects with which he was concerned. Other commentators in this compendium are better equipped than I to address these matters. But Hilaire's character and spirit were equally, if not more, impressive. He was a full-time academic and an ordained Anglican priest. He pursued both callings simultaneously with equal devotion. At his death, he was assistant curate of St Mary's Church in Beverley.

Hilaire came relatively late to his clerical calling. He studied for the priesthood after having first established himself as a legal scholar and teacher at the School of Law at the University of Nottingham and as a qualified solicitor. His capability as a clergyman was tested almost immediately upon his ordination.