James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern
|
|
James Peter Hymers Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern, KT, PC (born July 2, 1927), is a Scottish lawyer and former Lord Chancellor (1987 - 1997).
Born in Edinburgh, the son of a railway signalman, Mackay was educated at George Heriot's School and at the University of Edinburgh. He was called to the Scottish Bar in 1955 and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1965. In 1979, Mackay was appointed Lord Advocate, the senior law officer in Scotland, and was created a life peer, taking his territorial designation from his father's birthplace in Sutherland. He was appointed a judge of the Court of Session in 1984, and became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary the following year.
In 1987, Margaret Thatcher made Mackay Lord Chancellor, an office which he held until the Conservatives lost power in 1997, by which time he had become one of the longest serving Lord Chancellors. He was appointed a Knight of the Thistle by the Queen in 1999.
Mackay is also remembered for an incident when he, an elder of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, attended the funeral masses of two close Roman Catholic friends. This was considered a grave offence by the Free Presbyterian Church authorities and he was excommunicated, bringing about a split and the formation of Associated Presbyterian Church in 1989.
Mackay has been appointed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2005.
| Preceded by: The Lord Havers | Lord Chancellor 1987–1997 | Succeeded by: The Lord Irvine of Lairg |