Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet: Judge

Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet was Lord Chief Justice. Explore interesting quotes on judge.
Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet: 26 quotes0 likes

“It is true, as Mr. Folkard put to us, as the Judges of old felt, there are instances in which discretionary power might be grievously abused, and was abused in times such as I trust this country will never see again. At the same time, men are open to the infirmities which unfortunately attach to human nature. There may be dishonest and corrupt Judges among us, though I trust to God that will never happen. I agree you are to frame your rules so as to keep the administration of justice as far as you can beyond the possibility of corruption. On the other hand, if a rule is essential for the convenient administration of justice, you must trust to the honesty of those to whom you commit that most important department of the State. You must trust to the means you have of punishing corruption and dishonesty if you find it operating on the minds of those judicial officers.”

Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet

Reg. v. Charlotte Winsor (1866), 10 Cox. C. C. 313.

“A Judge cannot set himself above the law which he has to administer, or make or mould it to suit the exigencies of a particular occasion.”

Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet

Martin v. Mackonochie (1878), L. R. 3 Q. B. 775.

“In a criminal proceeding the question is not alone whether substantial justice has been done, but whether justice has been done according to law. All proceedings in poenam are, it need scarcely be observed, strictissimi juris; nor should it be forgotten that the formalities of law, though here and there they may lead to the escape of an offender, are intended on the whole to insure the safe administration of justice and the protection of innocence, and must be observed. A party accused has the right to insist on them as matter of right, of which he cannot be deprived against his will; and the Judge must see that they are followed.”

Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet

Martin v. Mackonochie (1878), L. R. 3 Q. B. 775.