An outspoken former political figure and radio host who served on the Corporation of Hamilton has been remembered as a lawyer with a drive for social justice.

Lawrence “Larry” Scott, who was 78, was a Hamilton councillor with Charles Gosling, the mayor, after getting elected to City Hall in 2012 under the previous “Team Hamilton” administration of Graeme Outerbridge.

Mr Gosling said Mr Scott was “unwavering in his love for the City, the island and the democratic process”.

Mr Scott was brother to the former Progressive Labour Party Attorney-General Michael Scott, who said: “I thank God and my family for the noble, learned and fiercely independent man I have been privileged to know as my brother.”

He was a prominent civil and criminal advocate in the firm of Scott & Scott, as well as an author.

His passing was marked this morning by Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe.

Mr Justice Wolffe told the Supreme Court: “We all know about his personality and passion for the law, and his willingness to help others.

“He was a consummate gentleman — it is a sad day for the legal profession.”

The Corporation of Hamilton gave its deepest condolences to Mr Scott’s family and loved ones.

A statement added: “Councillor Scott was a committed public servant, respected legal professional and passionate advocate for good governance, whose contributions to both the City and the island leave an enduring legacy.”

City Hall highlighted his “fearless and thoughtful commentary on local affairs”.

In the political realm, Mr Scott served on the executive of the United Bermuda Party and was a UBP senator from 1993 to 1998.

In the days of dual constituencies, Mr Scott ran for the party in Warwick East along with Bob Richards in the General Election of 1998, when the PLP took the Government for the first time and won the constituency in the process.

Mr Richards got 776 votes and Mr Scott 784, but Dale Butler, of the PLP, topped the polls with 1,320 votes and Alex Scott, who went on to serve as premier from 2003 to 2006, took 1,278.

Mr Scott was also an author whose 2011 book, It’s Only 4 per cent — Crime in Bermuda, explored the roots of the island’s troubles.

The cause was dear to him, as Mr Scott spelt out in uncompromising statements in the Upper House, in letters to The Royal Gazette, on social media and in his book, which shocked some readers.

He delved into his legal experience in particular to speak out on racial bias and what he saw as an overly punitive court system that put young Black men at a disadvantage.

“I am fairly straightforward with my views and I don’t apologise for that,” he told the Gazettein 2011.

“I want people to think about these things instead of saying ‘you have offended’. We have some difficulties in this community and I try to tackle them from the root cause.”

He attended Sandys Secondary School followed by Wilberforce University in Ohio, where he obtained a bachelor of arts in economics and political science in 1971.

By his own admission, he struggled academically but pulled through on grit.

He studied law in Britain at the Polytechnic of North London — which became the University of North London, then the London Metropolitan University — and received his law degree in 1980.

In 1993, he earned a legal education certificate from Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica.

He was Called to the Bar in Bermuda and Jamaica and belonged to the Bermuda Bar Association.

Mr Scott’s eloquent courtroom style was familiar to Bermuda’s listeners through the radio programmes The Larry Scott Show and Union Corner.

Michael Scott paid tribute to the “brotherly affection and closeness we each enjoyed together from boyhood into manhood”.

He said their joint calls to the Bermuda bar forged “an iron bond” for “helping others and the pursuit of justice whenever possible”.

“It is this connection with justice, I think, that has registered with me what most deeply unmoors me about Lawrence Scott’s sudden absence from this earth and space,” Mr Scott said.

“Our grandparents and parents armed my brother and I with equal and similar professional and emotional equipment to deploy in service of our clients, friends and colleagues.”

Mr Gosling recalled: “I first met Larry on the day of the Hamilton municipality election in 2012, when I stood for re-election as the incumbent mayor.

“Though we were on opposing sides, we spent the day in deep conversation — about City matters, national issues and our shared interests.

“My only regret walking away that evening in defeat was knowing I wouldn’t have the opportunity to serve alongside him.”

He added: “That changed in 2015, when I was re-elected and finally had the opportunity to serve with him on the council.

“During his time on council, Larry proved to be a man of principle and integrity.

“In the years prior to my return as mayor, he wasn’t afraid to speak out in defence of those standards, even when it wasn’t easy.

“Larry identified the issue of ultra vires in the legal case between the Corporation and Mexico Infrastructure Finance LLC — an argument that was later upheld by the courts, including the Privy Council.

“Larry was bright, articulate, always ready for a spirited debate and unwavering in his love for the City, the island and the democratic process.

“He had a sharp wit and a deep sense of purpose. He was a great man, and I only wish I’d had more time to know him better.”

Dwayne Caines, the chief executive of the City, said: “Councillor Scott had a profound love for his island home, and everything he did was driven by a desire to bring out the best in all of us.

“His ultimate goal was always to see Bermuda represented at its very best.

“He brought unwavering attention to detail and a deep passion for both the City and the country — qualities that will be sorely missed.

“He truly embodied a spirit of service.”

• UPDATE: this article has been updated with comments from the City of Hamilton