James Peter Hymers Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern, KT, PC, FRSE, KC was the son of a Railway Signalman from a Presbyterian family. Initially studying Mathematics, Lord Mackay switched to Law. He was appointed Lord Advocate in 1955 and Queens Counsel in 1965. Later he became a life peer and an Honorary Bencher of The Inner Temple in 1979. Lord Mackay used his mathematical knowledge to specialise in tax cases. In 1987, Lord Mackay was made Lord Chancellor in which post he remained until 1997, being one of the longest serving Lord Chancellors. In 2007 he became Lord Clerk Chancellor, a role he kept until his retirement in 2022.
James Lee was called to the Bar in 2015 and is Professor of Law at the Dickson Poon School of Law where he teaches several private law subjects. He is an internationally respected scholar of English Law, and has won honours and awards for his works, including teaching awards and in 2023 he was elected an Academic Bencher of the Inn.
The interview took place in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords and is in two parts due to an interruption by the division bell. The covers Lord Mackay’s early life as a lecturer in mathematics, his switch to the legal profession, the speed of his promotions, committee work for The Inner Temple, past attitudes to solicitors, his political affiliations and the changing role of the Lord Chancellor
The runtime is 1 hour, 35 minutes and 22 seconds.
Catalogue Number: AVR/8/2/10A-C