Pippa Kirkbride

High Sheriffs are increasingly involved in their counties, offering active support to police and emergency services. They also encourage public sector partners like probation and prison services, and voluntary organisations dedicated to crime prevention and strengthening community ties. Their main formal duties today involve participation in royal visits within the county and assisting High Court Judges during their court sessions.

While individual High Sheriffs may emphasise different aspects based on their expertise and interests, the core aims of the role can be summarised as:

• Actively supporting the fundamental structures of their county: the Royal Family, the judiciary, police and other law enforcement, emergency services, local government, and faith communities.
• Actively championing and supporting the voluntary sector, particularly those focused on reducing crime and fostering community
• Ensuring the comfort and support of visiting High Court Judges, attending their court sessions, and offering hospitality.
• Making a significant positive impact on their county during their year in office and upholding the traditions of the High Sheriff.
• Assisting the Lord-Lieutenant during royal engagements and other relevant events.

The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular Office in the UK and has existed for over 1,000 years. During the 11th and 12th centuries their powers were very extensive. The High Sheriff judged court cases, collected taxes, and could raise the "hue and cry" in pursuit of felons.

The High Sheriff was the representative of The Crown. The Sheriff's powers were gradually reduced over succeeding centuries. Under the Tudors, Lord-Lieutenants were created as personal representatives of The Sovereign. The Sheriffs were responsible for issuing Court writs until relatively recently, yet the strong relationships with The Judiciary and Magistrates has continued to this day. Every year, The Sovereign pricks the names of the High Sheriffs in Nomination on vellum with a bodkin on the Sheriffs' Roll, a practice that goes back to Henry VII to ensure the name cannot be changed. It was originally believed that Queen Elizabeth I was responsible for the origination of the 'pricking' ceremony while embroidering in her garden. However, this is a myth as there are Sheriff's roles dating back to the reign of her father that were pricked in vellum, which means using animal hide. The High Sheriff is responsible for reading the Proclamation in his/her County on the accession of a new Sovereign.