Background
Born in County Down, son of John Law of Woodlawn and Margaret Crawley of Cullaville, Law was educated at the Royal School Dungannon and thereafter at Trinity College, Dublin where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1839.
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Hugh Law
Edit ProfileCareer
He became a barrister in 1840 and a Queen"s Counsel in 1860, practicing mainly in Dublin and specialising in equity. In politics, he started as a Conservative, but quickly turned to the Liberals. He was also largely responsible for the drafting of the first Irish Land Acting of 1870.
And during the passage of the Irish Land Acting of 1881 was noted for his conciliatory approach and willingness to accept amendments.
He became Law Adviser to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Spencer in 1868. His promotion was regarded as a proper reward for his services to the Liberals, despite the practical problem that until 1874 he did not have a seat in Parliament and therefore could not speak for the Government.
He was appointed Attorney-General by the Liberal Prime Minister Gladstone in 1880, before becoming Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1881. Hugh Law died suddenly aged 65 on 10 September 1883, from inflammation of the lungs, at Rathmullan, County Donegal.
He was remembered as a judge whose decisions commanded universal respect.
Membership
21st United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament]
He became a Bencher of the King"s Inn in 1870 and was appointed in turn Solicitor-General for Ireland in 1872, Attorney-General for Ireland in 1873, and a member of the Irish Privy Council on 24 February 1874. In 1874 he was elected a Member of Parliament for Londonderry.
As Attorney General he prosecuted Charles Stewart Parnell and other leading members of the Irish National Land League for conspiracy.
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Born
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Died
September 10, 1883 (aged 65) -
Nationality
United Kingdom -
Political Party
Conservative