William Oliphant, Lord Newton

Sir William Oliphant, Lord Newton (1551–1628) was a Scottish judge.

Admitted as an advocate in 1577, he became an Advocate Depute in 1604. He gained favour of James VI by throwing up his brief for the six ministers in 1606. He was appointed a lord of session from 1611–26, with the judicial title Lord Newton and was Lord Advocate from 1612 to 1626. He was appointed a member of new High Commission court in 1615. He was responsible for the present procedure of examining witnesses in court.[1]

He died on 13 April 1628 and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.[2]

Family Background

Sir William Oliphant was the son of Thomas Oliphant of Freeland.[3]

He was father of

Sir James Oliphant, 1st Baronet (died 1648) - see Oliphant baronets

References

  1. ↑  Lee, Sidney, ed. (1895). "Oliphant, William (1561-1628)". Dictionary of National Biography. 42. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. ↑ Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland: The Grampian Society, 1871
  3. ↑ The Red Book of Perthshire, by Gordon MacGregor
Legal offices
Preceded by
Sir Thomas Hamilton		 Lord Advocate
1612–1626 		Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Hope, 1st Baronet
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