Sheriff John (Jackie) Stewart

Born 15th March1944

Died 23rd August 2015

Jackie Stewart, who has died aged 71, was senior sheriff at Hamilton when he retired in 2010. By then he had completed more than 25 years in office, making him then one of Scotland’s longest serving sheriffs.

He was first appointed to Airdrie in 1985 which gave him much satisfaction as he was local to the area. Straightforward and direct, humorous and humane, his down to earth attitude endeared him to all.

On the bench, he was very fair and applied a lot of common sense to good effect. A well adjusted individual, he was aware of the risk of a sense of self importance accompanying his position. Because of that, he kept in his chambers a large photo of himself resplendent in cowboy outfit with cowboy hat and a ‘sheriff’ badge on his chest and used to say that if he ever thought he was taking himself too seriously, all he had to do was look at that photo.

He also challenged the popular perception of judicial figures being out of touch.When ‘Star Trek’ was at the height of its popularity, he warned an offender being released subject to certain conditions, "remember now, there are Klingons on your starboard bow.”

Lawyers who appeared regularly before him considered him “pithy, witty and succinct” while court staff held him in high regard for his innate decency and the support he gave them. Over many years he dealt with a large number of demanding cases, usually succeeding in distilling apparent legal complexity and jargon to more readily understandable issues.

Jackie was brought up in Harthill where he attended the local primary school before going to Airdrie Academy. His father was a contractor in the mining industry who was killed in an accident at work when Jackie was 18. After leaving school and after college, he taught as an uncertificated teacher at Airdrie Academy while deciding on a career path.

His interest in law having been initially fired by the notorious Peter Manuel case, he opted for a legal career and studied at Dundee Law Faculty, then part of St Andrews’ University. While there he met Marian whom he married in 1968 and with whom he shared a long and happy marriage.

After graduating, Jackie undertook his solicitor’s apprenticeship in Aberdeen with a highly individualistic lawyer, the late A.J.G [Gullie] Taylor, in his office in Adelphi Lane near the Sheriff Court.

"Gullie", who had been a prisoner of war in the Far East,was not always the easiest to work for and Jackie was proud that he was one of very few apprentices who lasted the course with him. He used to recall, "It was a question of turning off your emotions when you went in to the office at nine in the morning and switching them back on at half past five, it was the only way to get through it.”

After completing his apprenticeship, he spent two more years in Aberdeen with Edmonds and Ledingham,a more conventional legal firm, before moving to Dumfries in 1973 to join John Henderson and Sons. Soon he became court partner, becoming recognised as one of the region’s foremost court lawyers, particularly in criminal cases.

Keen to focus on advocacy, Jackie applied to join the Faculty of Advocates. After a period ‘devilling’[training] to R.G. Craik, Advocate, later Q.C.,sheriff and part time High Court Judge, Jackie was admitted to the office of Advocate in 1978.

Over the next seven years he built up a busy practice, principally in criminal cases which took him throughout the country on circuit with the High Court of Justiciary.

After spending more than ten years as sheriff in Airdrie, he transferred to Hamilton Sheriff Court where he spent the rest of his judicial career.

Off the bench, Jackie was first and foremost a devoted family man. He had a wide range of interests.

In 2000 he was a founder member,along with others, of the Institute of Contemporary Scotland, set up to promote understanding of Scottish social, economic and cultural issues. According to the Institute’s Fiona Macdonald, he was particularly involved with the Young Scotland Programme, aimed at personal and professional development of young people from a disadvantaged background. "I remember one year at a reception for the Programme in Glasgow’s City Chambers, Jackie spotted a couple of youngsters present whom he noted with wry amusement, but also a sense of satisfaction, were ‘ex-customers of his.’"

Recreational activities included scuba diving at Loch Long with the Hamilton diving club while he also enjoyed walking, twice completing the West Highland Way. He became involved with Uddingston Rugby Club, being President between 1992 and ’94.Thereafter he was President of the parent body, Uddingston Cricket and Sports Club for two years.

Jackie brought his own inimitable style to the court.Devoid of airs and graces, he had a core of well grounded values which he put to effective use in his judicial role. His death has left his family and all who knew him deeply saddened.

He is survived by Marian,son Breck,daughters Rohan and Katryn,four grandchildren and a brother and sister.

JACK DAVIDSON