Lives of the Lord Chancellors

The Lord Chancellor holds one of the most ancient offices in the British constitution, and has always combined the functions of a judge, a cabinet minister, and a legislator.

With a critical constitutional role connecting legislation and the practice of the law, the holders of the office since the late nineteenth century have successfully adapted it to modern conditions, with the result that the Lord Chancellor is now the Cabinet member primarily responible for law reform.

This new volume examines such issues and changes in six biographical studies of the Lord Chancellors who held office between 1940 and 1970 - Lords Simon, Jowitt, Simonds, Kilmuir, Dilhorne, and Gardiner.

It follows on from the author's first volume covering the periods 1885 - 1940.

This is a book for all concerned with the theory and practice of law: barristers, solicitors, magistrates, judges; politicians and civil servants; academics and students in departments of law, government and politics.

Legal and constitutional historians, and other scholars of 19th and 20th century British political history.