William Law, Depute Sherriff of East Lothian by Sir Henry Raeburn
William Law was the second of the same name to occupy a judicial position in the Sheriff Court of the County of Haddington (East Lothian). His father, also William Law, became an advocate in 1737 and served as (Depute) Sheriff for nearly fifty years until his death in 1806. The younger Law followed in his father’s footsteps and was Depute Sheriff at his death in 1823.
This is an oil painting on canvas in a gilt wood and plaster frame. A plaque at the bottom reads WILLIAM LAW ESQ DEPUTE SHERRIFF OF THE COUNTY BY SIR HENRY RAEBURN with dates 1756-1823. The subject is shown in legal dress and wig in left oblique view.
The sheriff had civil and criminal jurisdiction in a shire or county. The office had frequently become heritable in a family of landed gentry and sheriffs-depute (trained lawyers) were appointed to perform judicial functions. Heritable jurisdictions were abolished in 1747, but in East Lothian the office of sheriff-depute was already practically heritable.
Museum id no. 2001.241.03
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