Lawyers Famous Lawyers from Scotland

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List of notable or famous lawyers from Scotland, with bios and photos, including the top lawyers born in Scotland and even some popular lawyers who immigrated to Scotland. If you're trying to find out the names of famous Scottish lawyers then this list is the perfect resource for you. These lawyers are among the most prominent in their field, and information about each well-known lawyer from Scotland is included when available.

List features Gerard Butler, Tony Blair and more.

This historic lawyers from Scotland list can help answer the questions "Who are some Scottish lawyers of note?" and "Who are the most famous lawyers from Scotland?" These prominent lawyers of Scotland may or may not be currently alive, but what they all have in common is that they're all respected Scottish lawyers.

Use this list of renowned Scottish lawyers to discover some new lawyers that you aren't familiar with. Don't forget to share this list by clicking one of the social media icons at the top or bottom of the page. (98 items)

1

Aamer Anwar age 51 Aamer Anwar is a prominent Scottish lawyer of Pakistani background who is noted for his left-wing political views and several associated controversies. He was an active participant in the Stop ...more

2

Adam Cockburn, Lord Ormiston Dec. at 79 (1656-1735) Adam Cockburn, Laird of Ormiston, Lord Ormiston, was a Scottish administrator, politician and judge. He served as Commissioner for Haddington Constabulary in the parliaments of 1681-2 and 1689, ...more

3

Alexander Pollock age 73 Alexander Pollock is a former Scottish Conservative Party politician and now a sheriff. He was educated at Rutherglen Academy, Glasgow Academy, Brasenose College, Oxford and at Edinburgh ...more

4

Alistair Darling age 64 Alistair Darling is a British Labour Party politician who was a Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2015, most recently for Edinburgh South West. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the ...more

5

Andrew Constable, Lord Constable Dec. at 63 (1865-1928) Arthur Henderson Briggs Constable, Lord Constable CBE KC FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and Tory politician. He served as Dean of Faculty and as Solicitor General. Born in Benarty, Fife, ...more

6

Andrew Murray, 1st Viscount Dunedin Dec. at 93 (1849-1942) Andrew Graham Murray, 1st Viscount Dunedin GCVO, PC, QC was a Scottish politician and judge. He served as Secretary for Scotland between 1903 and 1905, as Lord Justice General and Lord President ...more

7

Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd Dec. at 63 (1791-1854) Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd of Crosshill FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and politician. His father was the minister William Greenfield but the family changed their name to ...more

8

Annabelle Ewing age 57 Annabelle Janet Ewing is a Scottish politician, lawyer and SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife. She is the Minister for Youth and Women's Employment in the Scottish ...more

9

Archibald Primrose, Lord Carrington Dec. at 63 (1616-1679) Sir Archibald Primrose, 1st Baronet, Lord Carrington was a notable Scottish lawyer, judge, and Cavalier. The son of James Primrose by Catherine, daughter of Richard Lawson of Boghall, he ...more

10

Arthur Dewar, Lord Dewar Dec. at 57 (1860-1917) Arthur Dewar, later Lord Dewar, was a Scottish politician and judge, who served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South as well as Solicitor General for Scotland and later a ...more

11

Baldred Bisset Dec. at 51 (1260-1311) Baldred Bisset was a medieval Scottish lawyer.

12

Brian Fitzpatrick age 57 Brian Fitzpatrick is a lawyer and politician who was Labour Party MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden between 2001 and 2003. In 1999, First Minister Donald Dewar appointed him as Head of Policy in ...more

13

Charles Erskine, Lord Tinwald Dec. at 83 (1680-1763) Charles Erskine was Lord Advocate, a Scottish judge, and a Member of Parliament. Charles Erskine was the fourth son of Sir Charles Erskine, Baronet, of Alva, by his spouse Christian, daughter of ...more

14

Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton age 66 Charles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC, is a British Labour politician and barrister. Falconer became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional ...more

15

Charles Lyell Dec. at 78 (1797-1875) Sir Charles Lyell, 1st Baronet, FRS was a British lawyer and the foremost geologist of his day. He is best known as the author of Principles of Geology, which popularised James Hutton's concepts ...more

16

Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale Dec. at 71 (1620-1691) Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale, was the second son of John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale. Following the death of his father-in-law, Richard Lauder of Haltoun, in November 1675, he ...more

17

Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby age 64 Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby, PC QC, is a Scottish judge who has been a Senator of the College of Justice since June 2012. He was Lord Advocate for Scotland from 24 February 2000 until ...more

18

Craig Thomson age 45 Craig Alexander Thomson is a Scottish football referee, who has been a match official since 1988. He originates from Paisley, Renfrewshire.

19

David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes Dec. at 66 (1726-1792) Sir David Dalrymple, 3rd Baronet, Lord Hailes was a Scottish advocate, judge and historian, born in Edinburgh.

20

David Fleming, Lord Fleming Dec. at 67 (1877-1944) David Pinkerton Fleming, Lord Fleming MC was a Scottish politician and judge. He was educated at Glasgow High School, the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, and was called to the ...more

21

Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg age 77 Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, PC, QC, known as Derry Irvine, is a British lawyer, judge, and political figure who served as Lord Chancellor under his former pupil ...more

22

Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden Dec. at 62 (1685-1747) Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden was a Scottish politician and judge. He was President of the Court of Session.

23

Duncan McNeill, 1st Baron Colonsay Dec. at 81 (1793-1874) Duncan McNeill, 1st Baron Colonsay FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and Tory politician. He was Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session between 1852 and 1867. His ...more

24

Edward Gordon, Baron Gordon of Drumearn Dec. at 65 (1814-1879) Edward Strathearn Gordon, Baron Gordon of Drumearn was a Scottish judge and politician. Educated at Inverness Royal Academy, Royal High School, Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh ...more

25

Edward Theodore Salvesen Dec. at 85 (1857-1942) Edward Theodore Salvesen, Lord Salvesen PC QC LLD was a Scottish lawyer, politician and judge.

26

Elish Angiolini age 57 Dame Elish Frances Angiolini, DBE, QC, FRSA, née McPhilomy, is a Scottish lawyer of Italian descent. She was the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 2006 until 2011, having previously been ...more

27

Frank Mulholland age 58 Frank Mulholland, PC, QC is a Scottish lawyer and has been Lord Advocate, one of the Great Officers of State of Scotland and the country's chief Law Officer, since 19 May 2011, having previously ...more

28

George Chalmers Dec. at 83 (1742-1825) George Chalmers was a Scottish antiquarian and political writer.

29

George Dempster of Dunnichen Dec. at 86 (1732-1818) George Dempster of Dunnichen and Skibo FRSE FSA was a Scottish advocate, landowner, agricultural improver and politician. Dempster served as Member of Parliament for the Perth Burghs, founded ...more

30

George Joseph Bell Dec. at 73 (1770-1843) George Joseph Bell FRSE was a Scottish advocate and legal scholar. From 1822 to 1843 he was Professor of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh. He was succeeded by John Shank More.

31

George Lockhart Dec. at 59 (1630-1689) Sir George Lockhart of Carnwath was a Scottish advocate, judge and commissioner to parliament. The son of Sir James Lockhart of Lee, laird of Lee, he was admitted as an advocate in 1656. He was ...more

32

George Mackenzie Dec. at 55 (1636-1691) Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, known as Bluidy Mackenzie, was a Scottish lawyer, Lord Advocate, essayist and legal writer.

33

George Patton, Lord Glenalmond Dec. at 66 (1803-1869) George Patton, Lord Glenalmond was a Scottish politician and judge. He studied law at Edinburgh University. He studied at Glasgow University and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was Conservative ...more

34

Gerard Butler age 48 Gerard James Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television. A trained lawyer, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as Mrs. ...more

35

Gerry Maher Gerard 'Gerry' Maher QC is a Scottish lawyer and academic. He was a Law Commissioner at the Scottish Law Commission from 2000–2008, and is currently Professor of Criminal Law at the University ...more

36

Graham Bell Graham Clark Bell OBE QC is a Scottish advocate. He has been instructed regularly in the Criminal Appeal Court since being called to the Bar. As both Junior and Senior Counsel he has conducted ...more

37

Hazel Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove age 72 Hazel Josephine Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove, CBE, is a Scottish lawyer, and was the first woman to be appointed a Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of Scotland's Supreme Courts.

38

Hector MacQueen Hector L. MacQueen, FBA, FRSE, is a Scottish academic, a senior scholar of Scots law and legal history. He is Professor of Private Law at the University of Edinburgh and a former Dean of its ...more

39

Henry Erskine Dec. at 71 (1746-1817) The Honourable Henry "Harry" Erskine was a Scottish Whig politician and lawyer.

40

Henry Lauder, Lord St Germains Henry Lauder, Lord St Germains was Lord Advocate of Scotland and one of the nine advocates nominated and appointed at the institution of the College of Justice as an Ordinary Lord, styled Lord ...more

41

Henry Scrimgeour Dec. at 67 (1505-1572) Henry Scrimgeour or Scrymgeour was a diplomat and book collector.

42

Ian Hamilton age 92 Ian Robertson Hamilton, QC is a lawyer and Scottish Nationalist. He is best known for his part in the removal of the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey in 1950.

43

James Anderson Dec. at 66 (1662-1728) James Anderson, Scottish antiquary and historian, was born at Edinburgh. He was educated for the law, and became a writer to the signet in 1691. His profession gave him the opportunity of ...more

44

James Balfour Paul Dec. at 85 (1846-1931) Sir James Balfour Paul GCVO GCStJ FSAS was the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the officer responsible for heraldry in Scotland, from 1890 until the end of 1926. He was born in Edinburgh, the second son ...more

45

James Frazer Dec. at 87 (1854-1941) Sir James George Frazer OM FRS FRSE FBA, was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. He is often considered ...more

46

James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern age 90 James Peter Hymers Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern, KT, PC, QC is a British advocate. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Lord Advocate, and Lord Chancellor. He is an active member ...more

47

James Robertson, Baron Robertson Dec. at 64 (1845-1909) James Patrick Bannerman Robertson, Baron Robertson, was a Scottish judge and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 until 1891 when he was raised to the peerage as ...more

48

James Wilson Dec. at 56 (1742-1798) James Wilson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence. Wilson was elected twice to the Continental Congress, where he ...more

49

Jock Brown age 72 John Winton Brown is a solicitor and freelance football commentator, currently broadcasting for News UK Ltd.

50

John Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott Dec. at 88 (1924-2012) John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott, KT, CBE, DSC, JP, FRSA, FRSE was a Scottish peer, Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire and a notable businessman.

1 Aamer Anwar age 51 Aamer Anwar is a prominent Scottish lawyer of Pakistani background who is noted for his left-wing political views and several associated controversies. He was an active participant in the Stop ...more

2 Adam Cockburn, Lord Ormiston Dec. at 79 (1656-1735) Adam Cockburn, Laird of Ormiston, Lord Ormiston, was a Scottish administrator, politician and judge. He served as Commissioner for Haddington Constabulary in the parliaments of 1681-2 and 1689, ...more

3 Alexander Pollock age 73 Alexander Pollock is a former Scottish Conservative Party politician and now a sheriff. He was educated at Rutherglen Academy, Glasgow Academy, Brasenose College, Oxford and at Edinburgh ...more

4 Alistair Darling age 64 Alistair Darling is a British Labour Party politician who was a Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2015, most recently for Edinburgh South West. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the ...more

5 Andrew Constable, Lord Constable Dec. at 63 (1865-1928) Arthur Henderson Briggs Constable, Lord Constable CBE KC FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and Tory politician. He served as Dean of Faculty and as Solicitor General. Born in Benarty, Fife, ...more

6 Andrew Murray, 1st Viscount Dunedin Dec. at 93 (1849-1942) Andrew Graham Murray, 1st Viscount Dunedin GCVO, PC, QC was a Scottish politician and judge. He served as Secretary for Scotland between 1903 and 1905, as Lord Justice General and Lord President ...more

7 Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd Dec. at 63 (1791-1854) Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd of Crosshill FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and politician. His father was the minister William Greenfield but the family changed their name to ...more

8 Annabelle Ewing age 57 Annabelle Janet Ewing is a Scottish politician, lawyer and SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife. She is the Minister for Youth and Women's Employment in the Scottish ...more

9 Archibald Primrose, Lord Carrington Dec. at 63 (1616-1679) Sir Archibald Primrose, 1st Baronet, Lord Carrington was a notable Scottish lawyer, judge, and Cavalier. The son of James Primrose by Catherine, daughter of Richard Lawson of Boghall, he ...more

10 Arthur Dewar, Lord Dewar Dec. at 57 (1860-1917) Arthur Dewar, later Lord Dewar, was a Scottish politician and judge, who served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South as well as Solicitor General for Scotland and later a ...more

11 Baldred Bisset Dec. at 51 (1260-1311) Baldred Bisset was a medieval Scottish lawyer.

12 Brian Fitzpatrick age 57 Brian Fitzpatrick is a lawyer and politician who was Labour Party MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden between 2001 and 2003. In 1999, First Minister Donald Dewar appointed him as Head of Policy in ...more

13 Charles Erskine, Lord Tinwald Dec. at 83 (1680-1763) Charles Erskine was Lord Advocate, a Scottish judge, and a Member of Parliament. Charles Erskine was the fourth son of Sir Charles Erskine, Baronet, of Alva, by his spouse Christian, daughter of ...more

14 Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton age 66 Charles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC, is a British Labour politician and barrister. Falconer became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional ...more

15 Charles Lyell Dec. at 78 (1797-1875) Sir Charles Lyell, 1st Baronet, FRS was a British lawyer and the foremost geologist of his day. He is best known as the author of Principles of Geology, which popularised James Hutton's concepts ...more

16 Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale Dec. at 71 (1620-1691) Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale, was the second son of John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale. Following the death of his father-in-law, Richard Lauder of Haltoun, in November 1675, he ...more

17 Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby age 64 Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby, PC QC, is a Scottish judge who has been a Senator of the College of Justice since June 2012. He was Lord Advocate for Scotland from 24 February 2000 until ...more

18 Craig Thomson age 45 Craig Alexander Thomson is a Scottish football referee, who has been a match official since 1988. He originates from Paisley, Renfrewshire.

19 David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes Dec. at 66 (1726-1792) Sir David Dalrymple, 3rd Baronet, Lord Hailes was a Scottish advocate, judge and historian, born in Edinburgh.

20 David Fleming, Lord Fleming Dec. at 67 (1877-1944) David Pinkerton Fleming, Lord Fleming MC was a Scottish politician and judge. He was educated at Glasgow High School, the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, and was called to the ...more

21 Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg age 77 Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, PC, QC, known as Derry Irvine, is a British lawyer, judge, and political figure who served as Lord Chancellor under his former pupil ...more

22 Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden Dec. at 62 (1685-1747) Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden was a Scottish politician and judge. He was President of the Court of Session.

23 Duncan McNeill, 1st Baron Colonsay Dec. at 81 (1793-1874) Duncan McNeill, 1st Baron Colonsay FRSE was a Scottish advocate, judge and Tory politician. He was Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session between 1852 and 1867. His ...more

24 Edward Gordon, Baron Gordon of Drumearn Dec. at 65 (1814-1879) Edward Strathearn Gordon, Baron Gordon of Drumearn was a Scottish judge and politician. Educated at Inverness Royal Academy, Royal High School, Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh ...more

25 Edward Theodore Salvesen Dec. at 85 (1857-1942) Edward Theodore Salvesen, Lord Salvesen PC QC LLD was a Scottish lawyer, politician and judge.

26 Elish Angiolini age 57 Dame Elish Frances Angiolini, DBE, QC, FRSA, née McPhilomy, is a Scottish lawyer of Italian descent. She was the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 2006 until 2011, having previously been ...more

27 Frank Mulholland age 58 Frank Mulholland, PC, QC is a Scottish lawyer and has been Lord Advocate, one of the Great Officers of State of Scotland and the country's chief Law Officer, since 19 May 2011, having previously ...more

28 George Chalmers Dec. at 83 (1742-1825) George Chalmers was a Scottish antiquarian and political writer.

29 George Dempster of Dunnichen Dec. at 86 (1732-1818) George Dempster of Dunnichen and Skibo FRSE FSA was a Scottish advocate, landowner, agricultural improver and politician. Dempster served as Member of Parliament for the Perth Burghs, founded ...more

30 George Joseph Bell Dec. at 73 (1770-1843) George Joseph Bell FRSE was a Scottish advocate and legal scholar. From 1822 to 1843 he was Professor of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh. He was succeeded by John Shank More.

31 George Lockhart Dec. at 59 (1630-1689) Sir George Lockhart of Carnwath was a Scottish advocate, judge and commissioner to parliament. The son of Sir James Lockhart of Lee, laird of Lee, he was admitted as an advocate in 1656. He was ...more

32 George Mackenzie Dec. at 55 (1636-1691) Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, known as Bluidy Mackenzie, was a Scottish lawyer, Lord Advocate, essayist and legal writer.

33 George Patton, Lord Glenalmond Dec. at 66 (1803-1869) George Patton, Lord Glenalmond was a Scottish politician and judge. He studied law at Edinburgh University. He studied at Glasgow University and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was Conservative ...more

34 Gerard Butler age 48 Gerard James Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television. A trained lawyer, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as Mrs. ...more

35 Gerry Maher Gerard 'Gerry' Maher QC is a Scottish lawyer and academic. He was a Law Commissioner at the Scottish Law Commission from 2000–2008, and is currently Professor of Criminal Law at the University ...more

36 Graham Bell Graham Clark Bell OBE QC is a Scottish advocate. He has been instructed regularly in the Criminal Appeal Court since being called to the Bar. As both Junior and Senior Counsel he has conducted ...more

37 Hazel Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove age 72 Hazel Josephine Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove, CBE, is a Scottish lawyer, and was the first woman to be appointed a Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of Scotland's Supreme Courts.

38 Hector MacQueen Hector L. MacQueen, FBA, FRSE, is a Scottish academic, a senior scholar of Scots law and legal history. He is Professor of Private Law at the University of Edinburgh and a former Dean of its ...more

39 Henry Erskine Dec. at 71 (1746-1817) The Honourable Henry "Harry" Erskine was a Scottish Whig politician and lawyer.

40 Henry Lauder, Lord St Germains Henry Lauder, Lord St Germains was Lord Advocate of Scotland and one of the nine advocates nominated and appointed at the institution of the College of Justice as an Ordinary Lord, styled Lord ...more

41 Henry Scrimgeour Dec. at 67 (1505-1572) Henry Scrimgeour or Scrymgeour was a diplomat and book collector.

42 Ian Hamilton age 92 Ian Robertson Hamilton, QC is a lawyer and Scottish Nationalist. He is best known for his part in the removal of the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey in 1950.

43 James Anderson Dec. at 66 (1662-1728) James Anderson, Scottish antiquary and historian, was born at Edinburgh. He was educated for the law, and became a writer to the signet in 1691. His profession gave him the opportunity of ...more

44 James Balfour Paul Dec. at 85 (1846-1931) Sir James Balfour Paul GCVO GCStJ FSAS was the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the officer responsible for heraldry in Scotland, from 1890 until the end of 1926. He was born in Edinburgh, the second son ...more

45 James Frazer Dec. at 87 (1854-1941) Sir James George Frazer OM FRS FRSE FBA, was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. He is often considered ...more

46 James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern age 90 James Peter Hymers Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern, KT, PC, QC is a British advocate. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Lord Advocate, and Lord Chancellor. He is an active member ...more

47 James Robertson, Baron Robertson Dec. at 64 (1845-1909) James Patrick Bannerman Robertson, Baron Robertson, was a Scottish judge and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 until 1891 when he was raised to the peerage as ...more

48 James Wilson Dec. at 56 (1742-1798) James Wilson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence. Wilson was elected twice to the Continental Congress, where he ...more

49 Jock Brown age 72 John Winton Brown is a solicitor and freelance football commentator, currently broadcasting for News UK Ltd.

50 John Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott Dec. at 88 (1924-2012) John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott, KT, CBE, DSC, JP, FRSA, FRSE was a Scottish peer, Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire and a notable businessman.