Hawkins at once joined the old home circuit, and after enjoying a lucrative practice as a junior, was made Queen's Counsel in 1859.

He had a lucrative business in references and arbitrations, and acted for the royal commissioners in the purchase of the site for the new law courts.

A question regarding whether he was too favourable to the prosecution's case (coupled with evidence of meningitis rather than starvation being the cause of death) led to a public campaign orchestrated by the novelist Charles Reade.

Patrick Staunton's barrister, Edward Clarke, never forgave Hawkins, whom he considered a wicked judge.

A controversial judge, Hawkins was not given a valedictory on his retirement, for fear that he would be abused in open court, Sir Edward Clarke having threatened to appear in order to condemn him.

He held for many years the office of counsel to the Jockey Club, and as an active member of that body found relaxation from his legal and judicial duties at the leading race meetings, and was considered a capable judge of horses.

[1] Lord Brampton died at Tilney Street, Park Lane, London, on 6 October 1907, aged 90; the barony then became extinct.