In 1905 he became a Chancery "special", charging an additional fee for his expertise in patent law. The choice proved wise, and he conducted a very profitable practice until 1913.[1][2]
He resigned his seat on the bench in October 1929 and was made a Privy Councillor the same year.[2][7] Astbury had been made an honorary fellow of Trinity College in 1923 and on his retirement donated a large collection of legal textbooks and judgements to his alma mater.[2]
Family
Astbury was twice married. In 1888 he wed Evelyn Susmann, daughter of a Manchester merchant. Following her death in 1923, he married Harriet, widow of Captain Morrell Andrew Girdlestone and daughter of George Holmes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). He had one child, a daughter from his first marriage, who died in a motor accident.[1][2]
Death
The last ten years of Astbury's life saw him struggling with blindness and the loss of his only child. He died at a hotel in Sandwich, Kent in August 1939 aged 79.[1][2]