TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of radio and television's tough-talking legal eagle, Gary Jacobs.

The larger than life solicitor from Montrose Close, Woodford Green, whose legal prowess propelled him from humble East End origins to national reknown, died last Tuesday after suffering a double heart attack.

Mr Jacobs, 56, famous for giving no-nonsense legal advice on television and radio, had undergone surgery to his spine in Harley Street. He had come around after the surgery but suffered two heart attacks, the second of which proved fatal.

Devastated close friend Cindy Mitchell from Alders Avenue, Woodford Green told the Guardian: "I don't know what I'm going to do without him. Gary was a very, very generous and kind man who helped an awful lot of people.

"Gary was a legal crusader and a bon vivant. He lived life to the full and loved his food and drink. He also smoked a lot and everybody used to nag him to give up but he enjoyed the good life too much."

Ms Mitchell, owner of Pat's Pet Sitters, met Mr Jacobs while out walking her dog at Chingford Golf Course and the pair became good friends.

It was when Mr Jacobs was working as a 16-year-old hotdog seller that he experienced a brush with the law which unexpectedly turned around his fortunes, revealing his natural gift for advocacy.

Arrested by police, the young Jacobs became a victim of mistaken identity and his defence lawyer was so impressed with his legal know-how and powers of persuasion that he offered to train him with his legal firm.

He was taken on as a clerk at the London firm of Montague Gardner in Shaftesbury Avenue where he completed his articles to become a solicitor.

He then moved to Aidey &Co, a firm in Chadwell Heath where he started as a junior and rose through the ranks to partner, finally buying the practice in the mid 70s.

The firm was renamed Gary Jacobs Aidey & Co and then simply Gary Jacobs Mehta & Co, the name it still bears today, despite the fact he sold it four years ago.

His first marriage in 1970 was to Lesley and the couple had two children, Elizabeth, 30, an events manager, and Jonathan, 28, who followed in his father's footsteps to become a solicitor.

He and Lesley divorced in 1978 and in 1981 he married Maureen but they divorced in 1998. He is survived by both of his ex-wives and children.

As a young man he had survived testicular cancer but his health began to deteriorate 10 years ago when he was diagnosed with diabetes. He also suffered with spinal problems and had to walk with sticks but refused a wheelchair.

Always eager to support the vulnerable and hard-done-by, Mr Jacobs was once representing a woman whose legal aid run out half way through her case.

Ms Mitchell explained: "The Judge turned around and said to Gary "you know this woman is no longer on legal aid?" but Gary was so adamant she would win her case that he replied "She's no longer on legal aid but she's on Jacob's aid". He represented her free of charge."

The second part of his career - as a media legal spokesman - also began by lucky accident. He was listening to the Robbie Vincent show on LBC radio and telephoned to disagree with some legal advice given on the show.

Admiring his expertise and forthright approach the talk show host invited him to stay on the line and take part in occasional phone-in shows.

He then became a regular and also appeared on the James Whale show, Talk Radio and later Talksport. He also gave legal advice through the Justice with Jacobs column in The Mirror and more recently as the New Crusader at the Express.

Not a person to suffer fools gladly, Mr Jacobs would often cut callers off to his radio shows if they rambled on without getting to the point but the majority benefitted from his common-sense words of wisdom.

His funeral was held at Waltham Abbey Jewish Cemetery on Thursday.

July 9, 2002 12:30