Legal Career
Harold Hanson was appointed a KC (later known as QC) in 1946. He was regarded as a very sound lawyer and a brilliant trial advocate. He appeared for the plaintiff, defendant or accused in a number of the most important and lengthy cases in South African legal history. These included the Alexander libel case, an action for damages for defamation brought by F. M. Alexander, the founder of the Alexander Technique of psycho-physical education, against Drs Jokl, Cluver and Clark (1946–48); The Parity Insurance Company case (State vs. Heller) in which he defended the accused charged with fraud (1968–70) and Gentrico A.G vs. Firestone SA (Pty) Ltd in what has been called the greatest lawsuit in the 500 year history of patents.
He believed strongly in civil liberty and was well known for his support of political defendants, often acting on their behalf without a fee. He is perhaps best known for his contribution to the last day of the Rivonia Trial (June 12, 1964) in which he readily accepted a request from his colleague and respected friend Bram Fischer to argue mitigation for the accused. Hanson made a brilliant political appeal in a trial of politically inspired offences which in effect pleaded for the lives of the accused. He compared the African struggle for civil rights to the early Voortrekker Afrikaner struggle and cited precedents for clement sentencing even in cases of high treason which carried the death penalty. Alan Paton, novelist, national president of the Liberal Party, a devout Christian and opponent of violence was called as the only witness. Persuaded by Hanson's argument, respected witness and world opinion, the presiding judge, Justice Quartus de Wet, commuted the death penalty for high treason to life imprisonment. Hanson subsequently acted as counsel for Bram Fischer when he was brought to trial.
E Khan writes: “Hanson was big in every way: in intellect, in physique, in voice, in courage, in application, in determination. He was fearless, if ebullient and temperamental, in court. Ever eloquent — his colleagues would speak of “Hansonian eloquence” — he could develop an argument for his client on fact or law at the drop of a hat. In cross-examination he was penetrating and robust, and could be fierce; he had indeed a great reputation as a cross examiner. To counsel on the other side, he could prove an awkward opponent; but no one ever questioned his integrity”.
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