The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP is certainly not the first lord chancellor to get more than one wear out of his swearing-in robes. A famous example in living – well, Obiter’s – memory is Quintin Hogg, who served in both the Heath and Thatcher governments. Then there was the polymath Richard Haldane, though his two terms covered less than four tumultuous years.
Looking further back, at least half a dozen lord chancellors had double terms in the 18th and 19th century as the political shuttlecock bounced between Whig and Tory.
But, so far as we know, only two have achieved three distinct terms. Both were Conservatives. John Copley served nine years in three terms between 1827 and 1846. And the titanic figure of Hardinge Gifford (First Baron Halsbury) bestrode the legal scene for 17 years between 1885 and 1905, interrupted by a couple of brief Liberal administrations.
Halsbury is now remembered for two things. First, his Statutes of England and Wales, yours for £14,756. Second, his relentless opposition to growing trade union power, the one issue where, according to Diana Woodhouse’s The Office of Lord Chancellor, he allowed his political views to affect the discharge of judicial functions.
Obiter will be watching Raab’s second, and subsequent, terms with interest. And a little trepidation.
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