Hugh Law

Hugh Law, PC (Ire), QC (19 June 1818 – 10 September 1883) was an Irish lawyer, politician and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

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 was elected a Scholar in 1837 and received a Bachelor of Arts in 1839. He became a barrister in 1840 and a Queen's Counsel in 1860, practising mainly in Dublin and specialising in equity.

In politics, he started as a Conservative, but quickly turned to the Liberals. He drafted the Irish Church Act 1869 which disestablished the Church of Ireland: the drafting has been called "a monument to his skill and learning". He was also largely responsible for the drafting of the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act 1870, and during the passage of the Land Law (Ireland) Act 1881 was noted for his conciliatory approach and willingness to accept Opposition amendments. motto = Vigilante Et Orate notes = Confirmed by Sir Nevile Rodwell Wilkinson, 16th March 1934.