[1][3] He was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and died, though he represented clients nationwide.

[1] Hanlon represented at least 16 people charged with murder, but he is best known for his first defence case, in which he represented the only woman to be hanged in New Zealand, Minnie Dean.

[3] The series was a critical and a commercial success, and was nominated for Best Overseas Program at the 1986 Emmy Awards.

[3] Its first episode, In Defence of Minnie Dean, "contributed to a re-evaluation of Dean's conviction",[4] and won the Best Director, Best Drama Programme, Drama Script, and Performance, Female, in a Dramatic Role categories at the 1986 Listener Television Awards (also called the GOFTA Awards).

[3][5] David Gwillim, who played Hanlon, won Best Performance, Male, in a Dramatic Role at the awards for his performance in the series, and Terry Gray's music won Best Original Music.