He was a son of High Court Judge Sir Cecil Havers and brother of Dame
Elizabeth Butler-Sloss (born 1933) who in 1988 became the first woman
named to the Court of Appeal and later President of the Family
Division.
Michael Havers was named a Queen's Counsel in 1964. He was elected to
the House of Commons, representing Wimbledon, in 1970. He served as
Solicitor-General in the Heath government from 1972 to 1974, and became
a member of the Privy Council in 1977. He served as Attorney-General
from 1979 to 1987 under Margaret Thatcher. In June 1987 he left the
House of Commons and became a life peer and Lord High Chancellor, but
was forced to resign that October, due to ill health.
His sons are the Philip Havers, QC and the actor,
Nigel Havers.