Sir Thomas Hope, 1st Baronet

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Sir Thomas Hope, 1st Baronet (Born 1573, Died 1646) was a Scottish lawyer.

Admitted as an advocate in 1605, he made his reputation by defence of John Forbes (1568?-1634), and other ministers at Linlithgow in 1606. He prepared the deed revoking James I's grants of church property in 1625. He was appointed Lord Advocate in 1626, and held the office until 1641. He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1628.

He conducted the case against Balmerino in 1634. As Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1643, he maintained the king's temporizing policy.

In 1645 Hope was appointed one of the Commissioners for managing the Exchequer, but died the next year. Two of his sons appointed to the bench while he was Lord Advocate; and it being judged by the Court of Session unbecoming that a father should plead uncovered before his children, the privilege of wearing his hat, while pleading, was granted to him. This privilege his successors in the office of Lord Advocate have ever since enjoyed, though it is now in danger of being lost through desuetude.

His "Practical Observations Upon divers titles of the Law of Scotland", commonly called the "Minor Practicks" were published in 1726.

[edit] External links

• Article on Hope

Legal offices
Preceded by Sir William Oliphant	Lord Advocate 1626–1641	Succeeded by Sir Archibald Johnston