1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                  [LETTERHEAD OF FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.]


May 16, 1996


Board of Directors of
Stewart Information Services Corporation
Suite 800
1980 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas  77056


Gentlemen:

                 We have acted as counsel for Stewart Information Services
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of 45,000 shares of the Company's
common stock, $1.00 par value (the "Shares"), to be awarded by the Company
under its 1996 Directors' Stock Plan (the "Plan") upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
covering the Shares (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                 In connection therewith, we have examined the Registration
Statement, originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction of the amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the
amended By-laws of the Company, the corporate proceedings with respect to the
adoption of the Plan and such other documents and instruments as we have deemed
necessary or appropriate for the expression of the opinions contained herein.

                 We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all
records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all records, certificates and other
instruments submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the
originals of those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us
as copies and the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all
records, certificates and other instruments that we have examined.

                 Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal
considerations as we  have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly and validly authorized for issuance and, upon issuance
thereof in accordance with the Plan, will be duly and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

                 The opinions expressed herein relate solely to, are based
solely upon and are limited exclusively to the laws of the State of Delaware
and the federal laws of the United States of America, to the extent applicable.

                 We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption
"Item 5.  Interest of Named Experts and Counsel" in the Registration Statement.


                                        Very truly yours,



                                        Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.