Duties & Responsibilities

Whilst the duties of the role have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. The new monarch is proclaimed by the High Sheriff in each County. In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector.

Volunteer

A High Sheriff serves their County (or Bailiwick) for one year as a volunteer. This can be an almost full time role though some High Sheriffs manage to balance their employment alongside their shrieval duties. High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse – the High Sheriff pays all their own costs. It is however a truly rewarding, inspiring and enlightening year. Many ex High Sheriffs then go on to serve their Counties in other roles or with local charities.

Justice

Because the High Sheriff is independent and apolitical they can fulfil a vital role across the whole Justice system breaking down barriers and linking different parts of the system who would otherwise never meet.

Courts

High Sheriffs sit with the judges on the bench in District and County Courts as well as visiting Coroners Courts and Tribunals. They can highlight issues within the courts and support the hard working staff at every level who keep the courts running. They also support charities working in the criminal justice system and organisations working with victims of crime.

Details of all the courts are at Judiciary

Judges

High Court Judges usually sit in London, but they also travel to court centres around the country. They try serious criminal cases, important civil cases and assist the Lord and Lady Justices to hear appeals. When High Court judges visit the County the High Sheriff is responsible for their welfare. The judge is normally invited to the High Sheriff’s home or offered some other hospitality and has the opportunity to relax as well as meeting other people in the County.

Magistrates

The vast majority of justice is still undertaken in magistrates courts. Whilst the Lord Lieutenant appoints magistrates, the High Sheriff visits and supports magistrates and family courts across their county as well as their legal support and court staff. Magistrates undertake an invaluable role in the community and if you are interested in finding out more or becoming one do visit Magistrates

Probation

Those working in probation are undertaking demanding tasks both to prevent individuals entering the justice system and supporting their rehabilitation when they come out of prison. High Sheriffs thank and support probation staff and can link in to other statutory organisations.

To find out more about the probation service including working within it see Probation

Police

High Sheriffs work closely with their local police to highlight their work. They may accompany police officers on patrol and visit detention centres. They present police medals recognising long service, good conduct and gallantry. They visit and thank those who are often unrecognised but filling vital roles such as safeguarding, sexual exploitation and fraud prevention. High Sheriffs often have their police cadets in attendance at formal events.

Prisons

High Sheriffs visit prisons in their bailiwicks to support Governors and prison staff. They may present Butler Trust awards rewarding rehabilitation, improving mental health and recognising Staff dedication to reducing reoffending.

Find out about the prison service including working within it.

Community

Charities

In recent years High Sheriffs in many parts of England and Wales have been particularly active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people. Many High Sheriffs also support Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable people and others in the community. They do this by endorsing their work and helping to raise their profile.

Community

Preventing Young People From Falling Into Crime

A key role for High Sheriffs is now working to reduce youth crime and supporting all those working to keep young people out of the justice system – whether in youth groups, police cadets, academies and schools, and local authorities. The High Sheriffs’ Association adopted National Crimebeat in recent years in response to specific areas of need.

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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