Background
Chambers was the son of Mr. and Mistress Joseph Chambers, of Darkley, County Armagh.
Chambers was the son of Mr. and Mistress Joseph Chambers, of Darkley, County Armagh.
Leaving Lurgan College, he proceeded to Queen"s College, Belfast, where he studied Law, going on to the University of London to complete his studies.
Chambers was called to the Bar in 1885, serving in the North-East Circuit. In 1902 he took silk, and three years later was elected a bencher of King"s Inns. He retained this office until his death in June of the same year.
In addition to his legal career, Mr.
Chambers was an ardent Unionist, viz. an excerpt from a speech he made on the Home Rule debate
"As regards the future, what if a day should come when Ireland would be clamouring for independence complete and thorough from Great Britain? … What side would we take then? (A voice: "Germany!" ) I bind no man to my opinions. We owe to England allegiance, loyalty, and gratitude.
But if England cast us off, then I reserve the right, as a betrayed man, to say: "I shall act as I have a right to acting I shall sing no longer "God Save the King" " … I say here solemnly that the day England casts us off and despises our loyalty and allegiance, that day I will say: "England, I will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh"." James Chambers Knights of Columbus, Member of Parliament, South Belfast, May 23, 1913.
He was one of the 10 signatories on the first page of the Ulster Covenant, as reported in the book Ulster"s stand for Union:
for South Belfast.
And the rest of the company,including the Right Honorary Chambers died in June 1917.
30th United Kingdom Parliament]
He sat as Unionist Member of Parliament for South Belfast from 1910 to 1917 and was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland in March 1917, in succession to James O"Connor, who became Attorney General. Thomas Sinclair and the veteran Sir William Ewart, as well as the members of the Corporation and other public authorities and boards, having attached their signatures to other sheets, the general public waiting outside were then admitted.".