Sheriff of the City of London

Common card · No. 453032

The sheriffs of the City of London are ceremonial officers of the City of London. Two sheriffs are elected annually by the members of the City's livery companies. Today's sheriffs have only ceremonial duties, but the historical officeholders held important judicial responsibilities. They have attended the justices at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, since its original role as the court for the City of London and Middlesex. The Sheriffs reside at the Old Bailey during their year of service, so that one of them can always be attendant on the judges. In Court No. 1 the bench's principal chairs are reserved for their and the Lord Mayor's use, with the Sword of the City hanging behind the bench. It is an invariable custom that the Lord Mayor of London must previously have served as Sheriff. To become a Sheriff, one must be lawfully entitled to armorial bearings by proving their right by descent, whilst those not armigerous by birth can apply for a grant from the College of Arms to run...

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