Background
Harold Hanson was born in Johannesburg, son of Ralph Hanson, a Rand pioneer and Clara Lewis.
Harold Hanson was born in Johannesburg, son of Ralph Hanson, a Rand pioneer and Clara Lewis.
He was educated at Twist Street Government Primary School, Johannesburg and King Edward VII High School where he passed the Matriculation Exam at the age of fourteen. Hanson studied law at the University of the Witwatersrand and was called to the Bar in 1926 at the age of 22.
He subsequently built up a large practice in Johannesburg dealing with civil, criminal and political cases. Harold Hanson was appointed a KC (later known as Queen's Counsel) 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.
He believed strongly in civil liberty and was well known for his support of political defendants, often acting on their behalf without a fee. 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. East Khan writes: “Hanson was big in every way: in intellect, in physique, in voice, in courage, in application, in determination. 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”.
He was fearless, if ebullient and temperamental, in court.