David Richard Pigot
Encyclopedia
David Richard Pigot PC
, KC (c. 1803 – 22 December 1873) was one of the leading Irish judges of his time.
Pigot was born in Kilrush
, the only son of John Pigot, a doctor. He went to school in Fermoy
and graduated from the University of Dublin
. Originally he intended to follow his father's profession and studied medicine in Edinburgh; he later decided on law and was called to the Bar
in 1826 and became King's Counsel in 1835. He was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland
in 1839 and elected to Parliament as member for Clonmel
in the same year. He was Attorney-General for Ireland
from 1840 to 1841. In 1846 he was appointed Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and held that office until his death - he was briefly considered for the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland
in 1868.
Both Ball in " The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921" and Delaney in his biography of Pigot's successor Christopher Palles
praise Pigot highly as a judge of great intelligence, high principles and integrity; both agree that he had one fault- his habit of inquiring into the most minute details of litigation greatly prolonged the length of the hearing. Questions were raised about his ability to perform his duties, but only on health grounds: in 1855 the Law Times named him as one of five senior judges alleged to be too old or ill to perform effectively, and noted that he had spent six months in Spain for his health.
Pigot married Catherine Page in 1821 - many of their descendants were distinguished lawyers.
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
, KC (c. 1803 – 22 December 1873) was one of the leading Irish judges of his time.
Pigot was born in Kilrush
Kilrush
Kilrush is a coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located near the mouth of the River Shannon in the south-west of the county. Kilrush is a town of great historical significance, being one of the listed Heritage Towns of Ireland.-History:...
, the only son of John Pigot, a doctor. He went to school in Fermoy
Fermoy
Fermoy is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is situated on the River Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Its population is some 5,800 inhabitants, environs included ....
and graduated from the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
. Originally he intended to follow his father's profession and studied medicine in Edinburgh; he later decided on law and was called to the Bar
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
in 1826 and became King's Counsel in 1835. He was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland
Solicitor-General for Ireland
The Solicitor-General for Ireland was the holder of an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was a deputy to the Attorney-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters. At least one holder of the office, Patrick Barnewall played a significant role in...
in 1839 and elected to Parliament as member for Clonmel
Clonmel (UK Parliament constituency)
Clonmel was a United Kingdom Parlbiament constituency, in Ireland, returning one MP. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801.-History:...
in the same year. He was Attorney-General for Ireland
Attorney-General for Ireland
The Attorney-General for Ireland was an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was senior to the Solicitor-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters...
from 1840 to 1841. In 1846 he was appointed Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and held that office until his death - he was briefly considered for the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
in 1868.
Both Ball in " The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921" and Delaney in his biography of Pigot's successor Christopher Palles
Christopher Palles
Christopher Palles PC, QC , was an Irish barrister and judge.-Biography:Palles was born on Christmas Day at Mount Palles, near Mountnugent, in south County Cavan, Ireland. He was the third son of Andrew C. Palles, a solicitor, and his wife Eleanor...
praise Pigot highly as a judge of great intelligence, high principles and integrity; both agree that he had one fault- his habit of inquiring into the most minute details of litigation greatly prolonged the length of the hearing. Questions were raised about his ability to perform his duties, but only on health grounds: in 1855 the Law Times named him as one of five senior judges alleged to be too old or ill to perform effectively, and noted that he had spent six months in Spain for his health.
Pigot married Catherine Page in 1821 - many of their descendants were distinguished lawyers.