The King’s Appointee for Justice, Law & Order

Appointed by His Majesty The King, each High Sheriff serves their county for one year, as an unpaid volunteer, and has a specific responsibility for supporting law and order and the maintenance of justice.

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High Sheriffs’ Directory

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Justice

Understanding The 
High Sheriff

The High Sheriff is His Majesty The King’s appointee for the maintenance of Justice and preservation of Peace in the County.

The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest civic appointment in England and Wales with a history stretching back over 1000 years. Appointed by His Majesty The King, each High Sheriff serves the community in their county for one year.

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The Role at a Glance

Whilst the duties of a High Sheriff have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to the police, probation, courts and prisons and the other emergency services. In addition, High Sheriffs support and encourage crime reduction initiatives and assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable people.

What is a High Sheriff?

High Sheriff Duties & Responsibilities

The High Sheriff is appointed by the King to uphold the peace in the County and to do everything they can to improve the common good. High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. High Sheriffs are all volunteers and because they are independent and apolitical they can work across society without fear or favour.

Justice

To uphold the King’s peace, supporting judges, the police, crown prosecution service, courts, probation, prisons and all those organisations working to support victims and the rehabilitation of offenders

Community

To support every individual in the County of whatever faith or background bringing individuals to work together, helping build prosperous, integrated and caring communities where each individual matters.

Charity

To champion Community Foundations and charities throughout the County of whatever size, especially those working in the fields of crime reduction and with young people at risk of falling into the justice system.

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News & Impact

Stay current with developments across the High Sheriff community

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  • National Crimebeat’s Annual Awards 2026

    National Crimebeat’s Annual Awards took place at The Royal National Hotel in London on Tuesday 17th March 2026,  where over 135 VIP guests plus our finalists celebrated the amazing achievements of the 7 young teams from across England – sadly no finalists from Wales this year. First prize this year was awarded to the impressive

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  • ‘Getting Court’

    Getting Court is a preventative and educational social initiative. Set up in Oxfordshire in 2015 it offers pupils an informal insight into the workings of the criminal justice system through accompanied visits to Crown Courts and prisons. The students come from the mainstream system, Pupil Referral Units (PRU), Adult Training units, social services, local councils

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  • Young ‘High Sheriff’

    Ashlawn School in Rugby is taking part in this year’s Young High Sheriff programme

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  • Multi-Faith Chaplaincy

    For peace and justice to flourish in our multi-ethnic and multicultural society it is essential that individuals respect one another as equals.

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