“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.

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Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet 13

Lord Chief Justice 1802–1880

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Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet 13

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