Extraordinary Lord of Session

From 1532 to 1762, Extraordinary Lords of Session were regular people who were members of the Court of Session in Scotland. They were part of the old legal system in Scotland.

 History 
When the Court of Session started in 1532, it had the Lord President, 14 Ordinary Lords, and three or four Extraordinary Lords. The Extraordinary Lords were chosen by the Monarch of Scotland and didn't have to be legally trained. They weren't paid and could choose when to attend court. This might have been a way to keep the barons happy, but it also made it easier for the king to influence court decisions. The Extraordinary Lords usually only showed up for cases that affected them personally.

The number of Extraordinary Lords increased to eight in 1553 but was later reduced to four after protests. This number stayed around the same until 1723 when it was decided that any empty positions wouldn't be filled. Archbishop Burnet was the final clergyman to be an Extraordinary Lord, serving from 1664 to 1668. John Hay, the 4th Marquess of Tweeddale, was the last Extraordinary Lord, holding the position from 1721 to 1762. The practice of appointing Extraordinary Lords ended in 1721, and the role was officially ended by the Court of Session Act 1723. This act also stated that Ordinary Lords of Session must have legal qualifications."When the four present Extraordinary Lords of Session shall become vacant, no Presentation shall be made by the King to supply such Vacancy.": Court of Session Act 1732 (Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom 10 Geo. 1 XIX.). 9 October 1722.

 List of Extraordinary Lords 

 1539: William Ruthven, 2nd Lord Ruthven
 1539: John, Lord Erskine
 1541: William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal
 1541: William, Earl of Rothes
 1541: Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell
 1541: John Lindsay, 5th Lord Lindsay
 1542: George Seton, 6th Lord Seton
 1542: Alexander, Lord Livingston
 1542: James Ogilvy, 4th Lord Ogilvy of Airlie
 1542: John, Lord Innermeath
 1554: Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington
 1554: Adam Livingstone of Dunipace
 1561: William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal
 1561: William Maitland of Lethington
 1561: James Balfour, parson of Flisk
 1562: John Wood of Tulliedairie
 1563: Adam, Bishop of Orkney
 1565: Alexander, Bishop of Galloway
 1566: Edward Henryson
 1566: John Wood of Tulliedairie
 1566: Gavin Hamilton, Commendator of Kilwinning
 1567: Sir John Wishard of Pitarrow

 1641: Archibald, Earl of Argyll
 1641: Archibald, Lord Angus
 1641: John, Lord Lindsay
 1641: John Lord Balmerino
 1649: John, Lord Coupar
 1649: John Kennedy, 6th Earl of Cassilis
 1661: John Lindsay, 17th Earl of Crawford
 1661: John, Earl of Rothes
 1661: John, Earl of Lauderdale
 1662: John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton
 1664: John Hay, 2nd Earl of Tweeddale
 1664: Alexander Burnet, Archbishop of Glasgow
 1667: Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine
 1668: James Graham, 2nd Marquess of Montrose
 1669: John, Earl of Dunfermline
 1673: John, Earl of Atholl
 1674: Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll
 1680: Alexander Stuart, 5th Earl of Moray
 1681: William, Earl of Queensberry
 1682: James, Earl of Perth
 1684: Charles Middleton, 2nd Earl of Middleton
 1686: William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton
 1686: Patrick, Earl of Strathmore
 1693: William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry
 1693: William Johnstone, 1st Marquess of Annandale
 1693: Patrick, Lord Polwarth, later Earl of Marchmont
 1693: William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton
 1694: Archibald, Earl of Argyll
 1696: James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry
 1699: Hugh Campbell, 3rd Earl of Loudoun
 1704: John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
 1708: Archibald, Earl of Ilay
 1712: John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl
 1721: John Hay, 4th Marquess of Tweeddale

 References 

Category:Judges