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Judicial titles in England and Wales
Judicial titles in England and Wales
Judicial titles in England and Wales
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The Judiciary of England and Wales contains many levels, based on the court in which the judge sits. Titles are given to judges relating to their position and, in the case of knighthoods and peerages, this includes the positions they had previously held. Retired judges that sit in any court use their full name with their titles added (such as Sir or Dame, or post-nominal KC). Members or former members of the higher judiciary who are King's Counsel do not use the post-nominal letters KC.

Due to the various honours bestowed on members of the judiciary and traditions associated with the varying levels, their personal titles and forms of address often change as they progress in a judicial career.

Extant titles

[edit]

Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

[edit]
Office Judicial title Abbreviated title
(in law reports, etc.) 		Form of address Private title Private form of address
In court Out of court
President of the Supreme Court[1] The Right Hon. the President of the Supreme Court Lord/Lady Jones P[2] My Lord/Lady Lord/Lady Jones Lord/Lady Jones Lord/Lady Jones
Deputy President of the Supreme Court[1] The Right Hon. the Deputy President of the Supreme Court Lord/Lady Jones DP[2] My Lord/Lady Lord/Lady Jones Lord/Lady Jones Lord/Lady Jones
Justice of the Supreme Court[1] Male The Right Hon. Lord Jones Lord Jones SCJ[2] My Lord Lord Jones Lord Jones Lord Jones
Female The Right Hon. Lady Smith Lady Smith SCJ[2] My Lady Lady Smith Lady Smith Lady Smith

If there are two Justices of the Supreme Court with the same surname, then the junior Justice will take a territorial designation (i.e. "of [place]") in their title. When two or more Justices are referred at the same time in a law report, their post-nominal letters become SCJJ.[3]

Court of Appeal

[edit]
Office Judicial title Abbreviated title (in law reports, etc.) Form of address Private title Private form of address
In court Out of court
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales (if a peer) The Right Hon. the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Jones LCJ My Lord Lord Chief Justice Lord Jones (when title does not include a territorial designation)/The Lord Jones of Luton (when title includes a territorial designation) Lord Jones
Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England (Master of the Rolls) (if a peer) The Right Hon. the Master of the Rolls Lord Jones MR[3] My Lord Master of the Rolls Lord Jones (when title does not include a territorial designation)/The Lord Jones of Luton (when title includes a territorial designation) Lord Jones
Master of the Rolls The Right Hon. the Master of the Rolls Sir John Smith MR[3] My Lord Master of the Rolls Sir John Smith Sir John
Lord Justice of Appeal Male The Right Hon. Lord Justice Smith Smith LJ[2] My Lord Judge Sir John Smith Sir John
Female The Right Hon. Lady Justice Smith Smith LJ[2] My Lady Judge Dame Jane Smith Dame Jane

If there are two Lord Justices of the Appeal with the same surname, then the junior Lord Justice will take their first name as part of their judicial title.[2] When two or more Lord Justices are referred at the same time in a law report, their post-nominal letters become LJJ.[3]

High Court

[edit]
Office Judicial title Abbreviated title (in
law reports, etc.) 		Form of address Private title Private form of address
In court Out of court
President of the King's Bench Division Male The Right Hon. the President of the King's Bench Division Sir John Smith P[3] My Lord President Sir John Smith Sir John
Female The Right Hon. the President of the King's Bench Division Dame Jane Smith P[3] My Lady President Dame Jane Smith Dame Jane
President of the Family Division Male The Right Hon. the President of the Family Division Sir John Smith P[3] My Lord President Sir John Smith Sir John
Female The Right Hon. the President of the Family Division Dame Jane Smith P[3] My Lady President Dame Jane Smith Dame Jane
Chancellor of the High Court Male The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the High Court Sir John Smith C[3] My Lord Chancellor Sir John Smith Sir John
Female The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the High Court Dame Jane Smith C[3] My Lady Chancellor Dame Jane Smith Dame Jane
Justice of His Majesty's High Court of Justice (High Court judge) Male The Hon. Mr Justice Smith Smith J[2] My Lord Judge Sir John Smith Sir John
Female The Hon. Mrs Justice Smith Smith J[2] My Lady Judge Dame Jane Smith Dame Jane
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Smith ICC Judge Smith Judge (unless sitting as a deputy High Court Judge, in which case My Lord or My Lady as appropriate) Judge
Senior Master of the King's Bench Division Master Smith Master Smith Judge Master
Chief Master of the Chancery Division Chief Master Smith Master Smith Judge Master
Master Master Smith Master Smith Judge Master[4]
Registrar Registrar Smith Registrar Smith Registrar Registrar
Circuit Judge sitting as a High Court judge His (Her) Honour Judge Smith (KC) HHJ Smith (KC) My Lord (Lady) Judge Judge Smith Judge
Barrister or solicitor sitting as a deputy High Court judge John Smith (KC) John Smith (KC)[2] My Lord (Lady)
Barrister or solicitor sitting as a Deputy Master of the High Court Deputy Master Smith (KC) Deputy Master Smith (KC) Judge Master

If there are two Justices of the High Court with the same surname, then the junior Justice will take their first name as part of their judicial title.[2] When two or more Justices are referred at the same time in a law report, their post-nominal letters become JJ.[3]

Junior courts

[edit]
Office Judicial title Abbreviated title (in law reports, etc.) Form of address Private title Private form of address
In court Out of court
Circuit Judge sitting at the Central Criminal Court His (Her) Honour Judge Smith (KC) HHJ Smith (KC) My Lord (Lady) Judge Judge Smith Judge
Honorary Recorder His (Her) Honour Judge Smith (KC) HHJ Smith (KC) My Lord (Lady) Judge Judge Smith Judge
Circuit Judge His (Her) Honour Judge Smith (KC) HHJ Smith (KC) Your Honour Judge Judge Smith Judge
Deputy Circuit Judge His Honour John Smith (KC) HH John Smith (KC) Your Honour
Recorder sitting at the Central Criminal Court Mr (Mrs) Recorder Smith (KC) Mr (Mrs) Recorder Smith (KC) My Lord (Lady)
Recorder Mr (Mrs) Recorder Smith (KC) Mr (Mrs) Recorder Smith (KC) Your Honour
Adjudicator (Tribunal Judge) Mr (Mrs) Adjudicator Smith (KC) Mr (Mrs) Adjudicator Smith (KC) Sir/Madam
District Judge District Judge Smith (KC) DJ Smith (KC) Judge Judge
District Judge (magistrates' courts) District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Smith DJ(MC) Smith Judge[5]
Deputy District Judge Deputy District Judge Smith DDJ Smith
Magistrate John Smith JP John Smith JP Your Worships; Sir/Madam (if addressed individually)

Extinct titles

[edit]
Office Judicial title Abbreviated title (in law reports, etc.) Form of address Private title Private form of address
In court Out of court
Lord Chancellor The Right Hon. the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain Lord Jones LC[2] My Lord Lord Chancellor Lord Smith (when title does not include a territorial designation)/The Lord Jones of Luton (when title includes a territorial designation) Lord Jones
Lord of Appeal in Ordinary Male The Right Hon. Lord Smith/The Lord Jones of Luton Lord Smith/Jones[2] My Lord Lord Smith/Jones Lord Smith (when title does not include a territorial designation)/The Lord Jones of Luton (when title includes a territorial designation) Lord Smith/Jones
Female The Right Hon. Baroness Williams/The Baroness Hale of Richmond Lady Hale[2] My Lady Baroness/Lady Williams/Hale Baroness/Lady Williams (when title does not include a territorial designation)

The Baroness/Lady Hale of Richmond (when title includes a territorial designation)

Baroness/Lady Williams/Hale
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas The Right Hon. the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir John Smith CJ My Lord Chief Justice Sir John Smith Sir John
Chief Baron of the Exchequer The Right Hon. the Lord Chief Baron Sir John Smith LCB My Lord Lord Chief Baron Smith Sir John Smith Sir John
Vice-Chancellor of the High Court The Right Hon. the Vice-Chancellor Sir John Smith V-C[3] My Lord Vice-Chancellor Sir John Smith Sir John
Baron of the Exchequer The Hon. Mr Baron Smith Smith B My Lord Sir John Smith Sir John

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Judicial titles in England and Wales

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Judicial titles in denote the formal designations, styles, and modes of address for judges serving in the courts and tribunals system, which operates as a unified under the oversight of the Lord Chief Justice. These titles signify the judge's rank, , and responsibilities within a structure that includes the at the apex, followed by the Court of Appeal, , , , , and Magistrates' Courts. Rooted in statutory provisions and tradition, they ensure clarity in judicial proceedings and public interaction, with forms of address varying from "My Lord" or "My Lady" for senior judges to "Your Honour" for circuit judges. The judiciary's hierarchy begins with the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the most senior judge who heads the judiciary, presides over the Court of Appeal's Criminal Division, and leads the Judges' Council. Immediately below are other senior roles, including the Master of the Rolls (head of civil justice and president of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal), the President of the King's Bench Division, the President of the Family Division, and the Chancellor of the High Court, all addressed as "The Right Honourable" and typically holding Privy Councillor status. Court of Appeal judges, known as Lord/Lady Justices of Appeal, handle appellate cases and are styled "The Right Honourable Lord/Lady Justice [Surname]" in formal correspondence. High Court judges, titled Mr/Mrs/Ms Justice [Surname] or simply "High Court Judges," are assigned to one of three divisions—King's Bench (for civil and some criminal matters), Chancery (for business and property), or Family—and addressed as "The Honourable" with "My Lord" or "My Lady" in court. Below them, circuit judges (styled "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]") preside over trials in the Crown Court for serious criminal cases and in the County Court for civil matters, operating across six regional circuits in England and Wales. District judges, including those in magistrates' courts (titled "District Judge [Surname]"), manage lower-level civil, family, and summary criminal proceedings, often addressed simply as "Judge." At the base are magistrates, or Justices of the Peace (JPs), who are largely lay volunteers titled "[Surname] Esq JP" and addressed as "Your Worship" or "Sir/Madam," handling the majority of minor criminal cases alongside professional district judges. Part-time roles like recorders (a type of circuit judge) and deputy district judges support the system, with titles reflecting their temporary status. The Lord Chancellor holds statutory power under the Courts Act 2003 to alter these titles after consultation, ensuring adaptability while preserving ceremonial elements. This framework, independent since the , underscores the and the judiciary's role in upholding the across .

Overview

Judicial hierarchy

The judiciary in England and Wales operates within a tiered court system that ensures a structured progression of cases from initial hearings to final appeals, with each level corresponding to specific jurisdictions and levels of judicial authority. At the apex is the Supreme Court, serving as the highest appellate court for the United Kingdom, which hears appeals on points of law of general public importance from lower courts. Below it sits the Court of Appeal, divided into Civil and Criminal Divisions, which acts as an intermediate appellate body reviewing decisions from the High Court, Crown Court, and County Court. The High Court functions as a superior court of first instance for complex civil, family, and administrative matters, while also handling appeals from lower courts. Further down, the Crown Court deals with serious criminal trials and appeals from Magistrates' Courts, the County Court manages most civil disputes, and Magistrates' Courts address minor criminal and preliminary matters. Specialized tribunals resolve disputes in areas such as employment, immigration, and social security, often providing a more accessible forum outside the traditional court structure. Judicial titles in this reflect the , scope of , and appointment status of office holders, with higher courts requiring more experienced judges to handle precedent-setting cases. Appointments to these positions are governed by the , which established the to recommend candidates based on merit, ensuring independence from executive influence while promoting diversity and transparency in selections for roles across the hierarchy. This Act also formalized the by creating the and defining leadership roles, thereby aligning titles with the 's constitutional position. At the helm of the courts is the Lord Chief Justice, who serves as the head of the judiciary in and President of the Courts, responsible for representing judicial interests to government, overseeing training and welfare, and allocating judicial resources. Complementing this, the Senior President of Tribunals leads the tribunal system, managing its administration, representing tribunal members, and ensuring efficient resolution of specialized disputes under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. As of 2025, the comprises approximately 4,000 salaried judges across courts and tribunals, supported by around 18,000 fee-paid and lay judicial office holders who handle part-time duties to meet caseload demands.

Retired judges and honorifics

Upon or from judicial office in , judges retain certain honorific titles and styles for life, reflecting their former service, though they no longer perform regular judicial functions unless specifically recalled under statutory provisions such as the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993. This retention honors their contributions to the while distinguishing their post-service status, where they may participate in ceremonial or advisory roles with maintained precedence in formal settings. Senior judges, such as those from the and above, typically hold knighthoods or damehoods awarded during their tenure, which persist indefinitely; for instance, a retired judge is addressed as "Sir [First Name] [Surname]" or "Dame [First Name] [Surname]" in both spoken and written forms. Court of Appeal judges, often styled as " Lord/Lady [Surname]" while serving, revert to " / [First Name] [Surname]" upon retirement, retaining the "Right Honourable" prefix as a mark of their elevated status. Circuit judges, addressed as "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]" in active service, become "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname] (ret'd)" post-retirement, with the salutation "Dear Judge [Surname]" in correspondence. These forms emphasize personal names over judicial descriptors like "," signaling the end of active . Many senior retired judges, particularly from the , Court of Appeal, or as former Lord Chief Justices, are appointed life peers under the , granting them the style " Lord/Lady [Surname or Territorial Designation]" for life, independent of their judicial role. For example, Baroness Hale of Richmond, who retired as President of the in 2020, continues to use her peerage title in formal contexts. Similarly, Sumption, a retired Justice, is addressed as " Sumption." Post-nominals associated with judicial honors are also retained in formal and ceremonial uses; , a designation often held by senior judges, append "PC" for life following their appointment, as membership in the is lifelong. The post-nominal "SCJ" ( Justice), however, is generally reserved for serving justices and omitted after , though former justices may their prior role in biographical contexts. In all cases, these honorifics confer ceremonial precedence, such as in state processions or legal events, without implying ongoing judicial authority.

Forms of address and etiquette

Oral address in court

In court proceedings in , the oral address to judges follows established protocols that reflect their judicial rank and the context of the hearing, ensuring respect and clarity in communication. For judges of the and above, including Lords and Ladies Justices of Appeal, the standard form of address is "My Lord" for male judges and "My Lady" for female judges. Variations apply to senior roles, such as the Lord Chief Justice, who may be addressed as "My Lord Chief Justice" or "My Lady Chief Justice" to denote their position as head of the . Circuit judges, including recorders who serve in a similar capacity, are typically addressed as "Your Honour" during proceedings. Magistrates are addressed as "Your Worship," "Sir," or "Madam," depending on the presiding officer and the formality of the court. In December 2022, the Lord Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals issued guidance promoting inclusive language by standardizing the address for district judges (including those in magistrates' courts), masters, and tribunal judges as simply "Judge," replacing prior uses of "Sir" or "Madam" to modernize etiquette and emphasize the judicial role without gender-specific terms. For tribunals, which often involve panels, individual judges are addressed as "Judge" following the 2022 update, while the collective panel may be referred to as "the " to maintain procedural efficiency. This shift avoids outdated terms and supports accessibility, particularly for litigants in person, while preserving the dignity of the court. Non-legal members of tribunal panels continue to be addressed as "" or "Madam."

Written and formal address

In legal documents, correspondence, and official listings within , judges are addressed using specific formal styles and abbreviations that reflect their judicial rank and court. These conventions ensure clarity and respect in written communications, such as judgments, letters, and directories. The provides guidance on these forms, emphasizing consistency across printed and digital formats, with updates as recent as November 2023 to accommodate modern correspondence practices like signatures and online listings. Abbreviations for judicial titles are commonly employed in law reports, citations, and to denote rank succinctly. For instance, Court of Appeal judges are abbreviated as "LJ" after their surname (e.g., Smith LJ for Lord Justice Smith or Lady Justice Smith), judges as "J" (e.g., Smith J for Mr Justice Smith), and Circuit judges as "HHJ" (e.g., HHJ Smith for His Honour Judge Smith). These abbreviations follow established standards in legal referencing, such as those outlined in the Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA), which prioritizes brevity while maintaining formality in academic and professional documents. Full formal styles for correspondence and envelopes vary by judicial level to honor precedence. judges, for example, are styled as "The Honourable Mr/Mrs/Ms Justice [Surname]" on envelopes, with letters commencing "Dear [Mr/Mrs/Ms] Justice [Surname]" or simply "Dear [Surname]". Circuit judges use "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]" (including "KC" if applicable, e.g., His Honour Judge Smith KC), addressed in salutations as "Dear Judge [Surname]". For senior roles, such as the , the envelope reads "The Right Honourable The Lord/Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales", with "Dear Lord/Lady Chief Justice" in correspondence. The reinforces these protocols for professional letters, recommending full titles on outer mailings and abbreviated salutations internally to align with court etiquette. In official listings, such as judicial directories or announcements, post-nominals may accompany titles to indicate additional honors or roles. Justices, for instance, are listed as "The Rt Hon Lord [Surname], PC, SCJ" (e.g., The Rt Hon Lord Hodge, PC, SCJ, for the Deputy President), where "PC" denotes Privy Counsellor status—common among senior judges—and "SCJ" signifies Justice. These are used sparingly in formal rosters but are standard in legal citations per OSCOLA guidelines, ensuring precise identification without altering core titles. The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary's 2023 guidance extends this to digital formats, advising consistent application in email footers and web profiles to maintain professionalism across media.

Extant titles

Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

The of the United Kingdom, established by the and operational since 1 October 2009, serves as the final court of appeal for civil cases across the and for criminal cases in , , and . It comprises 12 justices, including the President, the Deputy President, and 10 other justices, all appointed by the on the recommendation of a selection commission. These justices also hold membership in the Judicial Committee of the , which acts as the highest court of appeal for , , and certain nations. The President of the Supreme Court is formally addressed as "The Right Honourable the Lord [Surname]" or "The Right Honourable the Lady [Surname]", reflecting their status as a Privy Counsellor and the courtesy title of Lord or Lady granted upon appointment if not already held. The current President, , has held the office since 13 January 2020, with no changes to the titular conventions as of 2025. The Deputy President receives a similar form of address, "The Right Honourable the Lord/Lady [Surname]", and shares the same privileges in correspondence and formal settings. Other justices of the Supreme Court are styled "The Right Honourable Lord/Lady [Surname]" in written and formal address, with the post-nominal letters "SCJ" denoting their role; this applies universally due to their appointment as Privy Counsellors, which entitles them to the "Right Honourable" prefix, alongside the courtesy title of Lord or Lady. In court, all justices, including the President and Deputy, are addressed orally as "My Lord" or "My Lady". Members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, including the Supreme Court justices, are addressed as "The Right Honourable Lord/Lady [Surname], PC", where "PC" signifies their Privy Counsellor status; this form emphasizes their role in advising the on judicial appeals from overseas jurisdictions. The Committee's panels typically draw from these justices, ensuring continuity in the highest levels of appellate expertise across both domestic and international matters.

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in serves as the intermediate , divided into Civil and Criminal Divisions, with judges holding titles that reflect their seniority and roles within the . The , who presides over the Criminal Division, bears the formal title " the " and acts as the overall head of the . The , presiding over the Civil Division, is styled " the ." These ex-officio positions are complemented by other heads of division, such as the President of the , who also serve as judges of the Court of Appeal. Ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal are known as Lord or Lady Justices of Appeal, with the formal title "The Right Honourable Lord/Lady Justice [Surname]." They are commonly addressed in judgments and correspondence as "[Initials] LJ" or "Lord/Lady Justice [Surname]." The court comprises the , the , heads of division, and up to 39 ordinary Lord or Lady Justices of Appeal, appointed by on the advice of the following recommendations from a selection commission. These appointments are governed by the Senior Courts Act 1981, which establishes the composition and jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal. Notable recent developments include the appointment of Lord Justice Birss as , effective from 1 November 2025, following his prior role as a Lord Justice of Appeal; the Chancellor serves ex-officio in the Court of Appeal as head of the Chancery Division. This linked role underscores the interconnected seniority among appellate and high court positions.

High Court

The of serves as the superior , divided into three main divisions: the , which handles civil claims, judicial reviews, and certain criminal appeals; the Chancery Division, focusing on business, property, and disputes; and the Family Division, addressing and Court of Protection matters. Each division is led by a head with a distinct title prefixed by "," reflecting their senior status within the judicial hierarchy. The President of the oversees the largest division, managing complex civil and administrative cases; the presides over the Chancery Division, specializing in commercial and equity matters; and the President of the Family Division leads proceedings involving matrimonial, child welfare, and adoption issues. Puisne judges, who form the bulk of the High Court judiciary, number 108 in total, comprising 71 in the King's Bench Division, 18 in the Chancery Division, and 19 in the Family Division at full complement. Upon appointment by the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, these justices receive the title "The Honourable Mr/Mrs/Ms Justice [Surname]" or abbreviated as "[Initials] J," and are customarily knighted as Knights Bachelor (for men) or appointed Dames Commander of the British Empire (for women). In the Chancery Division, certain judges specialize in the Insolvency and Companies Court, functioning as dedicated masters for bankruptcy and corporate proceedings. Supporting the justices are masters and registrars, who manage procedural and matters. masters are titled "Master [Surname]" and addressed as "Judge" in formal correspondence and court, handling pre-trial stages across divisions. Registrars, particularly in the and Chancery Divisions, use "Mr/Mrs Registrar [Surname]." The , a distinct role overseeing magistrates' courts and extradition cases at the , holds the title "Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate)." As of 2025, the has seen no structural changes to its titles or organization, though diversity statistics indicate that women hold 28% of judicial posts at the level and above, marking gradual progress in representation.

Tribunals and inferior courts

The tribunal system in operates as a specialized for administrative, regulatory, and certain civil matters, distinct from the general court hierarchy. Established under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, it comprises a two-tier structure: the First-tier for initial decisions and the Upper for appeals and judicial reviews. This framework encompasses over 20 tribunals covering areas such as , social security, , and , with approximately 1,716 salaried and fee-paid tribunal judges and around 3,000 non-legal members as of April 2025. The Senior President of Tribunals leads this system, holding a concurrent role as a Lord Justice of Appeal, and is formally titled and addressed as "The Right Honourable the Senior President of Tribunals" in official correspondence and proceedings. Judges in the Upper Tribunal, who may include transferred circuit judges or dedicated tribunal appointees, are addressed in writing as "Upper Tribunal Judge [Surname]" or, where applicable, "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]". Orally in hearings, they are addressed as "Judge [Surname]". Judges of the First-tier Tribunal are similarly titled "Judge [Surname]" in both written and oral contexts, reflecting their role in handling initial appeals across various chambers. In inferior courts, circuit judges presiding in the Crown Court for serious criminal trials hold the title "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]", often abbreviated as "HHJ [Initials]" in professional references, and are addressed orally as "Your Honour". District judges in the and Magistrates' Courts, responsible for civil claims, family matters, and summary criminal cases, are titled "District Judge [Surname]" or "DJ [Initials]", with those in magistrates' courts specified as "District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) [Surname]"; they are addressed orally as "Judge [Surname]". Deputy district judges, who assist on a part-time basis, use the prefix "Deputy" in their title, such as "Deputy District Judge [Surname]". Recorders, serving as part-time circuit judges in the , , and courts, share the title "His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]" during their judicial duties, despite their primary role often being in legal practice. Lay magistrates, who are volunteer justices of the peace handling the majority of criminal cases in Magistrates' Courts without legal training, are addressed orally as "Your Worship" or "/", with the presiding chair leading the bench; in formal correspondence, they are styled as "[Full Name], Esq JP".

Extinct titles

Appellate judiciary

The Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, commonly known as the Law Lords, were life peers appointed to serve as the judicial members of the , exercising its appellate . They held the formal style of address " Lord [Surname] of [Place]", and were invariably Privy Counsellors, denoted by the PC. Created under the Appellate Act 1876, the position aimed to professionalize the House of Lords' judicial functions by appointing eminent lawyers as full-time judges, initially two in number, increasing to twelve by the late . The office was abolished by the , which established the of the to assume the ' appellate role from 1 October 2009, ensuring separation of judicial and legislative powers. The last appointment as Lord of Appeal in Ordinary was Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore on 29 June 2009, marking the end of new appointments to the role. Twelve of the sitting Law Lords transitioned to become the inaugural Justices of the upon its opening. The formerly held significant judicial functions, including presiding over the Appellate Committee of the and serving as head of the judiciary in . These roles were removed by the , which transferred the presidency of appellate proceedings to the Lord Chief Justice and relocated the final appellate court outside Parliament. The Act emphasized by prohibiting ministerial interference in judicial matters and establishing an independent appointments process. Prior to the Senior Courts Act 1981, the served as the second-most senior judge in the unified Court of Appeal, established by the of 1873–1875, without formal division into criminal and civil branches. In this capacity, the participated in appellate hearings across various jurisdictions, often leading civil appeals and advising on procedural matters, while the Lord Chief Justice held overall precedence. The 1981 Act formalized the civil division's presidency under the , but earlier iterations emphasized the office's longstanding appellate authority dating from at least the 13th century, evolving from record-keeping to full judicial status by 1875. Historically, appellate divisions in lacked dedicated presidents until the 20th century expansions; the Lord Chancellor presided over the ' appellate committee, while the Court of Appeal's leadership rotated among ex officio members like the Lord Chief Justice and . This structure reflected pre-1875 reliance on ad hoc bodies such as the Chamber for appeals, transitioning to a more structured hierarchy post-Judicature reforms without fixed divisional heads until 1981.

Superior trial courts

Prior to the of 1873 and 1875, the superior trial courts in operated as separate entities handling and equity matters, with distinct judicial titles reflecting their specialized jurisdictions. These courts included the Court of Queen's Bench (or King's Bench, depending on the monarch), the Court of Common Pleas, the Court of Exchequer, and the , each presided over by senior judges with unique forms of address. The titles of these judges underscored the fragmented nature of the judicial system, where jurisdiction was divided between courts for civil and criminal disputes and the equity-focused Chancery court. The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas held the formal title "The Right Honourable the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas" and served as the head of the Court of Common Pleas, which primarily dealt with civil disputes between subjects. This position, dating back to the medieval period, was one of the most senior common law roles until the unification reforms. Under the Judicature Act 1873, the Court of Common Pleas was merged into the newly created High Court of Justice, effectively integrating its jurisdiction into the Queen's Bench Division, though the title persisted briefly as a nominal presidency over a division until its formal abolition via an Order in Council in 1881. Similarly, the Chief Baron of the Exchequer was the head of the Court of Exchequer, originally focused on revenue cases but expanded to general matters by the . Known formally as the "Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer," this judge also held an ex-officio role on the National Debt Commissioners under the Life Annuities Act 1808. and its distinct were abolished in 1880 as part of the ongoing implementation of the , with responsibilities transferred to the Lord Chief Justice; the Exchequer Division of the was likewise dissolved on December 26, 1880. The justices of the Courts of Queen's (or King's) Bench, Common Pleas, and were uniformly addressed as "Mr. Justice [Surname]" in and formal correspondence, a convention that emphasized their judicial rank without distinction between the courts. These judges handled trial-level matters in their respective jurisdictions, with the Queen's Bench focusing on criminal and high civil cases, Common Pleas on property and contract disputes, and on fiscal issues. The 1873–1875 unified these roles into the single cadre of judges, eliminating court-specific titles and integrating all into the structure effective from 1875. In the equity jurisdiction, the Vice-Chancellors of the served as specialized judges assisting the [Lord Chancellor](/page/Lord Chancellor) in handling equitable remedies, such as trusts and injunctions, with the first appointment in 1813 and two additional posts created in 1841 to address growing caseloads. Addressed as "Vice-Chancellor [Surname]," these judges operated within the 's distinct procedural framework until its abolition under the 1873–1875, which fused equity and jurisdictions and transferred remaining Vice-Chancellors as judges to the Chancery Division of the . The represented a pivotal , consolidating the fragmented superior courts into a unified with specialized divisions—Queen's Bench, Chancery, and initially Common Pleas and —to streamline administration and resolve jurisdictional conflicts that had plagued the system for centuries. This restructuring, driven by 19th-century pressures from industrial and commercial growth, abolished obsolete titles and enhanced judicial efficiency without altering the underlying principles of and equity.

Other historical roles

The was a historic judicial office in the , serving as the chief legal advisor to the and while presiding over criminal trials at the Central Criminal Court, known as the . This role, dating back to at least the 13th century, combined advisory, prosecutorial, and judicial functions, with the acting as the senior for serious offenses in the . The Courts Act 1971 reformed the court system by establishing the and abolishing quarter sessions, which transformed the Recorder's role from a full-time ancient office into a more ceremonial position held by the senior circuit judge at the , rendering the original title's standalone judicial character obsolete. In the palatine counties of and , regional judicial heads known as the or Vice-Chancellor oversaw semi-autonomous courts with over civil and criminal matters, reflecting the counties' historic status as territories under the direct rule of or Duchy. For , the Vice-Chancellor of the served as the head of the of the , handling equity cases until the office was abolished under section 44(1)(b) of the Courts Act 1971, which merged these palatine courts into the High Court. In , the of the led the Court of Great Sessions and Exchequer until 1830, when reforms under the Administration of Justice Act integrated Welsh and jurisdictions with Westminster courts; however, residual palatine elements persisted until fully eliminated by the 1971 Act's merger provisions. The Courts Act 1971's section 41 explicitly merged the remaining Palatine Courts of Lancaster and Durham (with 's already incorporated) into the High Court, ending these regional titles and centralizing authority. Admiralty judges held specialized maritime in the of Admiralty, established around 1361 to adjudicate disputes involving shipping, salvage, collisions, and under principles of civil law. These judges, often civilians trained in , operated independently from courts until the of 1873 and 1875 restructured the by abolishing the separate Admiralty Court and integrating its functions into the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the newly formed . This merger unified procedural rules across divisions, eliminating distinct Admiralty judicial titles while preserving the court's expertise within the Queen's Bench Division after further reforms in 1970. Serjeants-at-Law represented the pinnacle of the medieval English bar, an elite order of barristers granted exclusive rights to plead in the Court of Common Pleas and often elevated to judgeships, with their rank symbolized by the coif cap and traceable to the 13th century. They formed a closed residing in Serjeants' Inns until the order's dissolution, after which barristers' access to higher courts opened to all qualified counsel. The last serjeant was appointed in to facilitate judicial elevation, marking the end of this ancient title amid 19th-century legal reforms that democratized the profession. The abolition of these roles formed part of broader 20th-century reforms centralizing the . The Courts Act 1971 not only merged courts but also dismantled and quarter sessions, eliminating associated regional titles to streamline administration under a unified system. Complementing this, the Local Government Act 1972 restructured counties, abolishing the administrative frameworks of palatinates like and by creating new metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties, thereby extinguishing any lingering territorial privileges tied to historical judicial offices. These changes ensured equitable access to justice across , subordinating ceremonial and regional vestiges to national oversight.

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