How is the High Sheriff chosen?
Every appointed High Sheriff is responsible for nominating a successor, usually four years in advance. A High Sheriff will usually consult with the Lord Lieutenant and other dignitaries before making the final decision. At this stage, the nomination is passed to the Privy Council and is then read out by the King’s Remembrancer at an annual nomination ceremony in November held in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. This process must happen three times on three consecutive years before being submitted to the King for her approval at the ancient ‘Pricking Ceremony’.
What happens at the ‘Pricking Ceremony’?
This ancient custom sees the names of the High Sheriff nominees for the coming year presented to the King at a ceremony in the Privy Council. The King marks the names by pricking them with a bodkin (a blunt needle for threading ribbon through loops).
Historically, the role of High Sheriff could be ruinously expensive and unpopular and as a result was not always welcomed by the nominee. By using a bodkin the names were permanently marked and the list could not be altered. This practice is thought to have started during the reign of Henry VII (1485-1508).
What does Shrieval Mean?
Shrieval means “relating to a Sheriff” and the “Shrieval” year means the sheriff’s year in office. The sheriff, historically, was the Reeve of the Shire or Shire Reeve, and these words have become “Sheriff”.
Can a Justice of the Peace be a High Sheriff?
Yes – but he cannot sit in the Magistrates Court during his year of office. He may resume his duties as a JP after the Installation of the next High Sheriff.
What happens at the Installation?
The Installation marks the start of the High Sheriff’s year and is usually held between late March and mid-April following the ‘Pricking’ ceremony. The Installation is a short formal legal occasion during which the incoming High Sheriff makes a statutory Declaration of Office before a Judge or Justice of the Peace. The occasion is usually attended by the Lord Lieutenant, the outgoing High Sheriff, the Under Sheriff, the Chaplain, and other guests.
What are the main events during the High Sheriff’s year?
Traditionally, a High Sheriff’s Legal Service will be held which is a church service to honour local judges and magistrates. Some counties, including Staffordshire, hold a service at the beginning of each of the three legal terms while others hold a single service at the start of the legal year in October or towards the end of the Shrieval year in March or April.
High Sheriffs often host a gathering for those actively involved in the community to recognise their efforts. The cost of such an occasion is entirely met by the current High Sheriff since all expenses relating to duties are met by the individual appointed to the post and not local taxpayers. With this in mind, what a High Sheriff decides to do during their year is very much up to the individual and can vary from year-to-year.
Does the High Sheriff present any awards?
As well as making awards to those who have been active in the apprehension of certain offenders, the High Sheriff also presents ‘Outstanding Young Citizenship Awards’.
Does the High Sheriff receive any training?
High Sheriffs in Nomination are well supported and advised by the High Sheriffs’ Association. Each year the Association organises a national seminar and encourages a number of Regional Meetings. At these events High Sheriffs in Nomination are able to meet each other, exchange ideas and receive advice on the role.
What does a High Sheriff wear?
On formal and ceremonial occasions High Sheriffs either wear Court Dress, a suit of black silk velvet trimmed with cut steel buttons based on the style of the mid-eighteenth century or if they are retired members of the Armed Forces, they may wear military uniform if they attained the rank of Captain or above in the Army, or the equivalent in the other two services.
While there is no prescribed dress code for Lady High Sheriffs, they have generally adapted the style of the traditional Court Dress to suit their requirements and have added a hat adorned with white ostrich feathers.
What is the High Sheriff’s precedence in the county?
The High Sheriff in any county is by right second only to the Lord Lieutenant (or deputy acting as Lord Lieutenant) but, as a matter of courtesy, gives precedence to Mayors at their own civic functions, i.e. where the Mayor is clearly acting as host. When in attendance upon High Court Judges at the Crown Court the High Sheriff has precedence.
The Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff are both appointed by, and are representatives of, the Sovereign in the county. The Lord Lieutenant is responsible for civil and other matters, while the High Sheriff is responsible for law and order.
Who are the previous High Sheriffs of Staffordshire?
An extensive list can be found in the Staffordshire Archives. Staffordshire’s High Sheriffs since 2000 are:
2023 Mrs Victoria Hawley
2022 Ben Robinson MBE DL
2021 James Friend DL
2020 Charles Bagot Jewitt DL
2019 Ashley Brough DL
2018 Mrs Philippa Gee DL
2017 Humphrey Scott-Moncrieff DL
2016 Colonel David Leigh TD DL
2015 Johnny Leavesley DL
2014 Mrs Ann Fisher DL
2013 Miss Susan Inge-Innes-Lillingston DL
2012 Mrs Sarah Elsom DL
2011 Simon Clarke DL
2010 Ian Dudson CBE DL
2009 Richard Haszard
2008 Mrs Catherine Evans
2007 Graham Stow CBE DL
2006 Mrs Angela Tams DL
2005 The Lord Stafford, Francis Fitzherbert DL
2004 Mrs Dorothy Sheila Carver
2003 Sir Stanley Clarke DL
2002 Michael Hurdle
2001 The Countess of Shrewsbury and Talbot
2000 David Eliot
Who are the High Sheriffs in Nomination?
2024 Mrs Julia Mitchell