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Letters patent (always in the plural; abbreviated to LsP by the Crown Office), in the United Kingdom, are legal instruments generally issued by the monarch granting an office, right, title (in the peerage and baronetage), or status to a person (and sometimes in regards to corporations and cities). Letters patent have also been used for the creation of corporations or offices, for granting city status, for granting coat of arms, and for granting royal assent.
Patents are prepared by the Crown Office; the name of the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery is subscribed/printed at the end of all documents as a way of authentication of their having passed through the Crown Office.[1]
The form of letters patent have been disclosed by the Crown Office in as pro forma texts, and have been compiled here. The Ministry of Justice has said in the past that there are 92 unique types of letters.[2] The text of letters patent can be altered for specification in certain situations, though the following texts are the general basis for draft.
Terminology
In appointing a person to an office through letters patent, there are three documents involved:[3]
- The warrant – This contains the monarch's instructions to the Lord Chancellor to prepare letters patent. The Lord Chancellor delivers the said instructions to the Crown Office, who under the guidance of the Clerk of the Crown prepare the patent.
- Letters patent (sometimes called the patent) – the document which actually makes the appointment; it is sealed by either the Great Seal or its wafer form, and is typed or handwritten on vellum.
- The patent roll entry – this is a record of the warrant. The patent roll entries are bound together at the end of each regnal year and are sent to the National Archives, together with the warrants for permanent retention and storage.
These documents are not always given to the appointee. Letters patent come at a cost for an appointee who elects to receive an illustrated document prepared by the scribes at the Crown Office,[4] but is otherwise entitled to receive a text-only version for nothing. The patent roll entry is exclusively held by the National Archives and is not given to the appointee.
Patents, most notably before the 20th century, were granted with special conditions. The following methods were mainly used in regards to the appointment of individuals to offices, whose purpose was to allow the holder to pick his successor.[5]
- Grant in reversion – granted to a person after the demise of the current holders (or sometimes after the demise of multiple future holders)
- Grant in survivorship – granted to two persons who hold the office collectively; upon the death of one of the parties the remaining assumes the office alone
Types of letters patent
Removal from office
Persons may be removed of an office through letters patent, though this process is reserved for offices that were granted through patents in the first place. Modern patents, instead of requiring this form be issued, state that the grantee shall replace the present holder of the office in question.
Letters patent removing an individual from office[3]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas on the XX day of XX XX thousand and XX We of Our especial grace and favour conferred XX upon XX as a XX Now Know Ye that We of Our certain knowledge and mere motion do hereby cancel and annul the XX conferred upon the said XX as a XX together with all rights precedences privileges and advantages to the same degree title honour and dignity belonging or appertaining thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Peerage and baronetage
Peerages: Peerages may be created for individuals for life, or as hereditary peerages. The ranks of the peerage are, in descending order, duke and duchess, marquess and marchioness, earl and countess, viscount and viscountess, and baron and baroness.
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Letters patent conferring life peerages[6]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all other Our Subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion in pursuance of the Life Peerages Act 1958 and of all other powers in that behalf Us enabling do by these Presents advance create and prefer Our trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX to the state degree style dignity title and honour of Baron/Baroness XX of XX of XX in XX And for Us Our heirs and successors do appoint give and grant unto him/her the said name state degree style dignity title and honour of Baron/Baroness XX of X to have and to hold unto him for his/her life Willing and by these Presents granting of Us Our heirs and successors that he/she may have hold and possess a seat place and voice in the Parliaments and Public Assemblies and Councils of Us Our heirs and successors within Our United Kingdom amongst the Barons And also that he may enjoy and use all the rights privileges pre-eminences immunities and advantages to the degree of a Baron duly and rights belonging which Barons of Our United Kingdom have heretofore used and enjoyed as they do at present use and enjoy In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Baronetcies: Baronets and baronetesses are not part of the peerage but hold the styles of "sir" and "dame" as applicable. They rank immediately below the barons and baronesses but above knights and dames of the various orders of chivalry within the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Letters patent conferring baronetcies[6]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion do by these Presents erect appoint and create Our XX to the dignity state and degree of a Baronet And for Us Our heirs and successors do appoint give and grant unto him the said name state degree style dignity title and honour of Baronet unto him and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten and to be begotten Willing and by these Presents granting for Us Our heirs and successors that he and his heirs male aforesaid may enjoy and use all the rights privileges precedences and advantages to the degree of a Baronet duly and right belonging which Baronets of Our United Kingdom do at present use and enjoy In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
HM Governmentedit
Commissioners of the Great Seal: The Great Seal Act 1688 provided for the office of Lord Chancellor to be put in commission, and since the office held custody of the Great Seal of the Realm, the said custody had to be vested upon Lord Commissioners.
Letters patent would be issued on an ad hoc basis for commissioners to take custody of the Great Seal during any overseas visit by the Lord Chancellor or for when the Lord Chancellor would otherwise be unable to exercise his functions. In 1980 letters patent were issued providing for the delegation of the functions of the Lord Chancellor to commissioners whenever the Lord Chancellor was abroad.[9] Additional letters patent were issued in 1989 expanding the purview of the 1980 letters patent.[10]
1989 letters patent appointing Lord Commissioners of the Great Seal
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ELIZABETH THE SECOND by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To the Commissioners more particularly described hereinafter and all other Our faithful Subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: WHEREAS Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor James Peter Hymers Baron Mackay of Clashfern, Our Chancellor of Great Britain, hath humbly besought Us to grant to him and his successors in office (the holder for the time being of the said office being hereafter called Our Chancellor) leave to be absent from Our United Kingdom from time to time during Our Pleasure, and We are graciously please to assent to his request; AND WHEREAS We deem it expedient to commit to the Commissioners constituted by and for the purposes of these Presents (hereinafter called Our Commissioners) the custody of Our Great Seal of Our Realm (hereinafter called Our Great Seal) during any such absence of Our Chancellor, save when it is in Our custody; AND WHEREAS We further deem it expedient, if at any time and for so long as Our Chancellor is by reason of ill-health or for any other reason temporarily incapable of exercising the powers, duties and functions of his office, to commit to Our Commissioners both the custody of Our Great Seal (save when it is in Our custody) and also all other his powers, duties and functions; AND WHEREAS We further deem it expedient to commit to Our Commissioners during any vacancy that may in future occur in the office of Our Chancellor both the custody of Our Great Seal (save when it is in Our custody) and also all other his powers, duties and functions; NOW YE THAT We do hereby grant leave to Our Chancellor to be absent from Our United Kingdom from time to time during Our Pleasure, until We give further order or direction to the contrary, to the intent that such leave shall not determine by the return of Our Chancellor to Our United Kingdom, but shall endure and be a continuing leave to Our Chancellor to be absent from Our United Kingdom from time to time; AND THAT We do hereby constitute as Our Commissioners for the purposes of these Presents the holders for the time being of the following offices, that is to say:-
AND THAT We do hereby commit to Our said Commissioners:- during any absence of Our Chancellor from Our United Kingdom in pursuance of Our leave hereinbefore granted, the custody of Our Great Seal and the responsibility for passing under it all such things as have ordinarily been used to be sealed with it, and during any time when Our Chancellor is, whether by reason of ill-health or for any other reason, temporarily incapable of exercising the powers, duties and functions of his office, such incapacity to be certified under instrument under the hand of Our Prime Minister, until such time and Our Prime Minister shall be like instrument certify that Our Chancellor is again able to exercise his powers, duties and functions, or during any vacancy that may occur in the office of Our Chancellor, both the custody of Our Great Seal as aforesaid and also all other powers, duties and functions of Our Chancellor except those appertaining to his office as Speaker of Our House of Lords; PROVIDED THAT:- upon the return of Our Chancellor to Our United Kingdom after any absence therefrom in pursuance of Our leave hereinbefore granted, or upon receiving an instrument under the hand of Our Prime Minister certifying that Our Chancellor, after a period of temporary incapacity, is again able to exercise the powers, duties and functions of his office, Our Commissioners shall immediately recommit to Our Chancellor the custody or Our Great Seal without any further Commission, warrant or authority in that respect; this Our Commission shall not be determined by the return of Our Chancellor to Our United Kingdom, or by the recommitment to him of Our Great Seal, or by its commitment after a vacancy in the office of Our Chancellor to a new holder of that office but, until We give further order or direction to the contrary, this Our Commission shall endure and be a continuing Commission operating during any further absence of Our Chancellor from Our United Kingdom, during any further temporary incapacity of Our Chancellor and during any further vacancy that may occur in his office; save, however, that nothing in this Commission shall operate to commit the custody of Our Great Seal, or any other power, duty or function of Our Chancellor, to Our Commissioners, during any time when Our Great Seal is in Our custody; AND WE do hereby declare that:- during any period when, by virtue of these Presents, the custody of Our Great Seal stands committed to Our Commissioners, any two of Our Commissioners may pass or cause to be passed under Our Great Seal any thing which ought so to pass; and during any period when, by virtue of these Presents, other powers, duties and functions of Our Chancellor stand committed to Our Commissioners, those powers, duties and functions may be exercised by any three Commissioners being the holders of the following offices, that is to say:-
The Vice-Chancellor of the Chancery Division of Our High Court of Justice provided that the Lord Chief Justice of England or the Master of the Rolls may represent Our Chancellor where he is required to countersign a Royal Warrant of Appointment, or where any person appointed as a Lord Justice of Appeal or Puisne Judge of Our High Court, or as a Circuit Judge, is required to take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath in his presence or before him; In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the thirty-first day of January in the thirty-seventh year of Our Reign |
Lords Commissioners of the Treasury: The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury are nowadays appointed through letters patent as a group, with the first person named within the patent being the First Lord of the Treasury, and the second being the Second Lord of the Treasury; the rest of the persons named assume office as junior Lords. There used to be different patents for the First, Second and Junior Lords of the Treasury.[11]
Letters patent appointing Lords Commissioners of the Treasury
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellors XX[a] and XX[b] Our trusty and well beloved XX[c] Greeting Whereas We did by Our Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Our Realm bearing date at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign constitute and appoint the persons therein named to be during Our pleasure Commissioners of Our Treasury of Our United Kingdom as therein mentioned Now Know Ye that We Do by these Presents revoke the said Letters Patent And Further Know Ye that We trusting in your wisdom and fidelity of Our especial grace Do constitute and appoint you to be during Our pleasure Commissioners of Our Treasury of Our United Kingdom and to do and perform all things whatsoever which might have heretofore been done and performed by the late Commissioners of Our Treasury of Our United Kingdom And to that end and purpose We Do by these Presents Give and Grant unto you Our said Commissioners full power and authority immediately from henceforth from time to time during the vacancy of the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Our United Kingdom to confirm and approve of all those Orders and Warrants which have been already signed by the late Commissioners of Our Treasury of Our United Kingdom and which are remaining unexecuted And which unto you shall seem reasonable and for Our Service and to cause the same to be duly executed And also to perform and execute all acts and things whatsoever which heretofore might or ought to have been performed by the late Commissioners of Our Treasury of Our United Kingdom in as ample manner and as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes as such Commissioners heretofore have done or might have done by virtue of any power or authority to them belonging or of any Act of Parliament Law Usage or Custom And We Do Hereby Require And Authorise Our Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain or Our Keeper of the Great Seal of Our Realm or Our Commissioners for the Custody of the Great Seal of Our Realm and all other officers and persons whatsoever for the time being whom these Presents shall or may in anywise concern to give full allowance of all things to be done by your Our said Commissioners or any two or more of you according to Our pleasure hereinbefore declared In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign
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Attorney General for England and Wales:
Letters patent appointing the Attorney General for England and Wales[3]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We did on the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign constitute and appoint Our right trusty and well beloved XX to be Our Attorney General during Our Pleasure and by Our Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Our Realm bearing date at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign did confirm the said appointment And Whereas on the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign We of Our especial grace did constitute and appoint Our right trusty and well beloved XX to be Our Attorney General in the place of the said XX during Our Pleasure together with all salaries fees authorities and advantages due and of right belonging thereto Now Therefore Know Ye that We by these Presents do hereby confirm the appointment of the said XX to be Our Attorney General In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Solicitor General for England and Wales:
Letters patent appointing the Solicitor General for England and Wales[3]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We did on the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our reign constitute and appoint Our right trusty and well beloved XX to be Our Solicitor General during Our Pleasure and by Our Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Our Realm bearing date at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign did confirm and the said appointment And Whereas on the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign We of Our especial grace did constitute and appoint Our right trusty and well beloved XX to be Our Solicitor General in the place of the said XX during Our Pleasure together with all salaries fees authorities and advantages due and of right belonging thereto Now Therefore Know Ye that We by these Presents do hereby confirm the appointment of the said XX to be Our Solicitor General In Witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign. |
Registrar General for England and Wales:
Letters patent appointing the Registrar General for England and Wales[12]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas by the Registration Service Act 1953 as amended by the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 it is lawful for Us from time to time under the Great Seal of Our Realm to appoint a Registrar General for England and Wales And Wales And Whereas by Our Letters Patent under the said Great Seal We did appoint Our trusty and well beloved XX to be such Registrar General And Whereas the said XX has resigned from that Office and the same is now vacant Now Know Ye that We by virtue of the powers vested in Us by the said Acts have nominated and appointed and by these Presents do nominate and appoint Our trusty and well beloved XX to be Registrar General for England and Wales To have hold enjoy exercise and occupy the said Office for and during Our Pleasure the same to be used and exercised according to the provisions of the aforesaid Act of Parliament together with all profits privileges and advantages whatsoever to the same Office in anywise belonging or appertaining In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Lord Chancellor's pension:
Letters patent granting the Lord Chancellor a pension
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| Not yet transcribed. |
Investigatory Powers Tribunaledit
- Interception of Communications (President)
- Interception of Communications (President) (re-appointment)
- Interception of Communications (Vice - President)
Devolved nationsedit
First Minister of Scotland: as the leader of the Scottish Government, the First Minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and serves as the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. The First Minister is nominated by the Scottish Parliament from among its members, and is formally appointed by the monarch.
| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith to Our trusty and Well Beloved XX Greeting! WHEREAS the said XX has been nominated by the Scottish Parliament from among the members of the Parliament to be the First Minister of the Scottish Government; NOW, therefore, We, in accordance with the provisions of section 45(1) of the Scotland Act 1998, hereby appoint the said XX to the Office of First Minister of the Scottish Government during Our pleasure; IN WITNESS WHEREOF We have ordered the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland to be appended hereto. Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace this XX day of XX Two thousand and XX in the XX Year of Our Reign.
PER SIGNATURAM MANU SDN REGIS SUPRA SCRIPTAM[b]
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- Heath Service Commissioner – England
- Heath Service Commissioner – Wales
Church of Englandedit
Letters patent giving Royal Assent to the selection of an Archbishop of Canterbury and for confirming the election[14]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To the Most Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of York Primate of England and Metropolitan the Right Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of London the Right Reverend Fathers in God Our right trusty and well beloved XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Winchester XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Salisbury XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Worcester XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Rochester XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Lincoln XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Leicester XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Norwich or to any four or more of you Greeting Whereas the Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury being vacant by the resignation of the Right Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX lately Archbishop thereof Upon the humble Petition of the College of Canons of Our Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ Canterbury We have by Our Letters Patent granted them Our leave and licence to choose another Archbishop and Pastor And the said College of Canons by virtue of Our said leave and licence have chosen for themselves and the said Church the Right Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and well beloved XX by Divine Providence Lord Bishop of XX to be their Archbishop and Pastor as by their Letters sealed with their Seal directed to Us thereupon does more fully appear We accepting of such Election have given Our Royal Assent thereto and this We signify unto you by these Presents Requiring and Commanding you by the faith and allegiance by which you stand bound to Us that you or any four or more of you do confirm the aforesaid Election and that you do perform and execute with diligence favour and effect all and singular other things which belong to your Pastoral Office according to the Laws and Statutes of England in this behalf made and provided In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent giving Royal Assent to the selection of an Archbishop of York and for confirming the election[15]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To the Most Reverend Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of All England and Metropolitan the Right Reverends Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of London Our right trusty and well beloved XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Winchester XX by Divine Providence Lord Bishop of Durham XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Carlisle XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Blackburn XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Manchester or to any four or more of you Greeting Whereas the Archiepiscopal See of York being lately vacant by the resignation of the Most Reverend Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor XX lately Archbishop thereof Upon the humble petition of the College of Canons of Our Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York We have by Our Letters Patent granted them Our leave and licence to choose another Archbishop and Pastor And the said College of Canons by virtue of Our said leave and licence have chosen for themselves and the said Church the Right Reverend Our right trusty and well beloved XX by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of XX to be their Archbishop and Pastor as by their Letters sealed with their Seal directed to Us thereupon does more fully appear We accepting of such Election have given Our Royal Assent thereto and this We signify unto you by these Presents Requiring and Commanding you by the faith and allegiance by which you stand bound to Us that you or any four or more of you do confirm the aforesaid Election and that you do perform and execute with diligence favour and effect all and singular other things which belong to your pastoral office according to the Laws and Statutes of England in this behalf made and provided In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent giving authority to a college of canons for electing a bishop[16]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To Our trusty and well beloved the College of Canons of XX Greeting Supplication having been humbly made to Us on your part that whereas the See of XX is now void and destitute of the solace of a Pastor by the resignation of the Right Reverend XX lately Bishop thereof We would be graciously pleased to grant you Our fundatorial leave and licence to elect another Bishop and Pastor of the said See We being favourably inclined to your prayers in this behalf have thought fit by virtue of these Presents to grant you such leave and licence Requiring and Commanding you by the faith and allegiance by which you stand bound to Us that you elect such a person for your Bishop and Pastor as may be devoted to God and useful and faithful to Us and Our Kingdom In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Rector
Letters patent appointing a rector[17]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To the Right Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and well beloved XX by Divine Permission Bishop of XX or in his absence to his Vicar-General in Spirituals or to any other person or persons having or that shall have sufficient authority in this behalf Greeting We present unto you by these Presents Our beloved in XX Clerk in Holy Orders to the Rectory of XX and in your Diocese now legally void by the resignation of the last Incumbent thereof and to Our presentation in full right Commanding and Requiring you so far as relates to you to admit the said XX to the Rectory of XX aforesaid and him there to institute induct and invest with all and every the rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging and to do all and singular other matters and things in anywise touching or concerning the admission institution and induction aforesaid which to your pastoral office belongeth or appertaineth In Testimony whereof We cause these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
- Canon (amending)
- Bishop
- Bishop Suffragan
- Canon
- Dean
- Dean of Jersey
Judiciaryedit
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales:
Letters patent appointing the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales[18]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to XX the Office of Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales To hold the same so long as he shall well behave himself therein with all wages profits and advantages due and of right belonging thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing the Master of the Rolls[18]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to XX the Office of Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of Our Chancery of England To hold the same so long as he shall well behave himself therein with all wages profits and advantages due and of right belonging thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
President of the King's Bench Division:
Letters patent appointing the President of the King's Bench Division[18]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to XX the Office of President of the King's Bench Division To hold the same so long as he shall well behave himself therein with all wages profits and advantages due and of right belonging thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
President of the Supreme Court:
Letters patent appointing the President of the Supreme Court[19]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have in pursuance of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 nominated and appointed and by these Presents do nominate and appoint XX to be President of the Supreme Court of Our United Kingdom To hold the said Office so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Act mentioned with all emoluments privileges rank and precedence whatsoever to the said Office belonging or in anywise appertaining In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Deputy President of the Supreme Court:
Letters patent appointing the Deputy President of the Supreme Court[19]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have in pursuance of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 nominated and appointed and by these Presents do nominate and appoint XX to be Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Our United Kingdom To hold the said Office so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Act mentioned with all emoluments privileges rank and precedence whatsoever to the said Office belonging or in anywise appertaining In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing a Justice of the Supreme Court[20]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas XX has resigned his Office as a Judge of the Supreme Court and the same is now vacant Now Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have in pursuance of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 nominated and appointed and by these Presents Do nominate and appoint XX to be one of Our Judges of the Supreme Court of Our United Kingdom To hold the said Office so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Act mentioned with all emoluments privileges rank and precedence whatsoever to the said Office belonging or in anywise appertaining In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary[6]
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Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas XX has resigned his Office of a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and the same is now vacant Now Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have in pursuance of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 as amended by subsequent enactments nominated and appointed and by these Presents Do nominate and appoint XX to be a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary by the style of Baron XX To hold the said Office so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Act mentioned with all wages profits privileges rank and precedence whatsoever to the said Office belonging or in anywise appertaining and to hold the said style of Baron unto him the said XX during his life In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing a Lord Justice of Appeal[21]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to XX the Office of one of Our Ordinary Judges of the Court of Appeal To hold the same so long as he shall well behave himself therein with all wages profits and advantages due and of right belonging thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing a Justice of the High Court[22]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to XX the Office of one of the Justices of Our High Court To hold the same so long as he shall well behave himself therein with all wages profits and advantages due and of right belonging thereto In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
King's Counsel learned in the Law:
Letters patent appointing King's Counsel[23]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace have constituted ordained and appointed XX one of Our Counsel learned in the Law And We have given and granted unto him as one of Our Counsel aforesaid place precedence and preaudience next after XX in Our Courts And We also will and grant to the said XX full power and sufficient authority to perform do and fulfil all and every the things which any other of Our Counsel learned in the Law as one of Our said Counsel may do and fulfil We Will that this Our grant shall not lessen any Office by Us or by Our Ancestors heretofore given or granted In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Letters patent appointing King's Counsel honoris causa[24]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that We of Our especial grace have constituted ordained and appointed XX one of Our Counsel learned in the Law honoris causa And We have also given and granted unto him as one of Our Counsel aforesaid precedence at Law in accordance with that Office We Will that this Our Grant shall not lessen any Office by Us or by Our Ancestors heretofore given or granted In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Crown dependenciesedit
- Land Entitlement in the Channel Islands[clarification needed]
Isle of Manedit
Attorney General of the Isle of Man:
Letters patent appointing the Attorney General of the Isle of Man[25]
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Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We did by Our Letters Patent under the Great Seal bearing date at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign grant unto XX the Office and place of Our Attorney-General of and in all Our Courts of Justice within Our Island of Man Now Know Ye that We do by these Presents revoke and determine the recited Letters Patent and every clause article and thing therein contained And further Know Ye that We do make ordain and constitute and do by these Presents appoint XX to be Attorney-General of and in all Our Courts of Justice within Our Island of Man for a further period with effect from the XX day of XX XX To have and enjoy during good behaviour the said Office of Our Attorney-General within Our Island for and during Our Pleasure Provided Always and Our Will and Pleasure is that he the said XX shall cease to be Attorney-General of Our said Island of Man and these Our Letters shall cease to have effect on the XX day of XX XX We have also given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant unto the said XX full power and authority to make ordain and depute such Clerks and Officers unto him in every Our Courts within the aforesaid Island in as full and ample manner and form as any other person formerly having or occupying the said Office of Our Attorney-General within Our said Island hath had made ordained or deputed or could or was used to have made ordained or deputed and We do give and grant to the said XX full power and authority to receive all fees fines casualties profits and commodities heretofore received and taken to the said Office belonging or appertaining for which he shall from time to time duly account to the Department entitled thereto and which he shall pay over to such Department Provided also and Our Will and Pleasure is that the said Office shall be held by the said XX upon such terms and conditions as the said Office was held by any former Attorney-General in Our said Island and in accordance with any instructions which may be given from time to time by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State Provided lastly and We will and by these Presents firmly enjoining do command that the said XX do and shall be resident within Our said Island and that he shall execute the said Office in his own proper person except in case of his sickness or any other incapacity or when absent from duty with the permission of Our Lieutenant Governor In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourselves at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
Island of Guernseyedit
- Bailiff of the Island of Guernsey
- Bailiff of the Island of Guernsey (Deputy)
Island of Jerseyedit
- Advocate General of Jersey
- Procurator-General of Jersey
- Bailiff of the Island of Jersey
- Bailiff of the Island of Jersey (Deputy)
Local governmentedit
City status: this honour is granted to a select group of communities, although it carries no special rights outside of the prestige and pride that comes along with it.[26]
Letters patent granting city status[3]
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We for divers good causes and considerations Us thereunto moving are graciously pleased to confer on the Town of XX in Our County of the status of a City Now Therefore Know Ye that We of Our especial grace and favour and mere motion do by these Presents ordain declare and direct that the Town of XX shall henceforth have the status of a City and shall have all such rank liberties privileges and immunities as are incident to a City In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |
- City and mayor
- Lord mayoralty
- London Lieutenancy
- Lieutenancy
Lord-Lieutenant: This office is mainly awarded to notable individuals who have retired. [27]
Letters patent granting office of Lord-Lieutenant
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| Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith to Our trusty and well beloved XX Greeting Whereas by the Lieutenancies Act 1997 it is {amongst other things} enacted that it shall be lawful for Us from time to time to appoint a Lord-Lieutenant for each County in England and Wales and for Greater London Now Know Ye that We by virtue of the said Act have nominated and appointed and by these Presents do nominate and appoint you the said XX {subject to the limit of age hereinafter mentioned} to be Our Lord-Lieutenant of and in Our County of XX for and during Our Pleasure And We do by these Presents give and grant unto you full power and authority to do execute transfer and perform all and singular the matters and things which to a Lord-Lieutenant to be nominated and appointed by Us for the said County of XX do by force of any law in anywise belong to be done executed transacted or performed And therefore We do hereby command you that according t o the tenor of these Our Letters you said XX shall cease to be Our Lord-Lieutenant of and in Our County of XX and these Presents shall cease to have effect on the XX day of XX in the year of Our Lord Two thousand and XX being the day when you the said XX attain the age of seventy-five years In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the XX day of XX in the XX year of Our Reign |