James Chambers (politician)


James Chambers QC was an Irish lawyer and Unionist politician.

Background and education

Chambers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chambers, of Darkley, County Armagh. Leaving Lurgan College, he proceeded to Queen's College, Belfast, where he studied Law, going on to the University of London to complete his studies.

Legal and political career

Chambers was called to the Bar in 1885, serving in the North-East Circuit. In 1902 he took silk, and three years later was elected a bencher of King's Inns. He sat as Unionist Member of Parliament for South Belfast from 1910 to 1917 and was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland in March 1917, in succession to James O'Connor, who became Attorney General. He retained this office until his death in June of the same year.
In addition to his legal career, Mr. Chambers was an ardent Unionist, viz. an excerpt from a speech he made on the Home Rule debate
He was one of the 10 signatories on the first page of the Ulster Covenant, as reported in the book Ulster's stand for Union:
Chambers died in June 1917.