Sheriffs Act 1887

1887 CHAPTER 55 50 and 51 Vict

An Act to consolidate the Law relating to the office of Sheriff in England, and to repeal certain enactments relating to Sheriffs which have ceased to be in force or have become unnecessary.

[16th September 1887]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 “Writ” to be construed as not including writ for parliamentary elections: Representation of the People Act 1948 (c. 65), Sch. 10 Pt. II, para. 4

C2 References to sheriff to be construed as references to high sheriff: Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), s. 219(1)

C3 Act: power to amend conferred (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 62(3) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 6(3), Sch. 5

C4 Act excluded (temp. from 19.7.1996 to 31.3.1998) by S.I. 1996/1867, art. 4(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I1 Act wholly in force at Royal Assent

Preliminary E+W

1 Short title. E+W

This Act may be cited as the Sheriffs Act 1887.

2 Extent of Act. E+W

This Act shall not extend to Scotland or Ireland.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Reference to Ireland to be construed as exclusive of Republic of Ireland: S.R. & O. 1923/405 (Rev. X, p. 298: 1923, P. 400), art. 2.

Appointment and Qualification E+W

3 Annual appointment of sheriff and duration of office. E+W

(1) A sheriff shall be annually appointed for every county.

(2) Save as provided by this Act, a sheriff shall not hold office for more than one year, and a grant after the passing of this Act of the office for more than one year shall be void.

(3) The office of sheriff or of any officer of a sheriff shall not become void by reason of the demise F1 . . . of the Duchy of Cornwall, but the person holding the office shall, unless sooner removed or superseded, continue in office for the remainder of his term, in like manner as if such demise had not taken place.

[F2 (4) In this Act “county”, in relation to Wales, means a preserved county (as defined by section 64 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1973 (c. 39), Sch. 1 Pt. I

F2 S. 3(4) added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 62(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 6(3), Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 3: power to amend conferred (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 62(2), (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 6(3), Sch. 5

4 Qualification of sheriffs. E+W

A person shall not be appointed sheriff F3 . . . except he have sufficient land within his county F3 . . . to answer the Queen and her people.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

5 Same person not to be chosen twice in three years. E+W

A person who has been sheriff of a county for a whole year shall not within three years next ensuing be appointed sheriff of that county unless there is no other person in the county qualified to fill the office.

6 Nomination and appointment of sheriffs. E+W

(1) On the twelfth day of November in every year (or if that day fall on a Sunday then on the ensuing Monday) persons fit to serve as sheriffs shall be nominated for every county at the Royal Courts of Justice in the manner that has been heretofore used and observed, and shall be so nominated by the following great officers, namely, F4 ...F5 . . . the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Lord President and others of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, and the Lord Chief Justice of England, or any two or more of such great officers, taking to them the judges of Her Majesty’s High Court, or any two or more of them.

(2) Whenever Her Majesty has duly pricked a person to be sheriff of a county, the same shall be forthwith notified in the London Gazette; and a warrant in the form in the First Schedule to this Act shall be forthwith made out and signed by the Clerk of the Privy Council and transmitted by him to the person so pricked; and the appointment of sheriff so made shall be of the same effect as if made by patent under the Great Seal; and every sheriff so appointed upon making the declaration of office in this Act mentioned shall by virtue of this Act only and without payment of any fee have and exercise all powers, privileges, and authorities usually exercised and enjoyed by sheriffs of counties in England.

(3) A duplicate of the said warrant shall within ten days after the date thereof be transmitted by the Clerk of the Privy Council to the clerk of the peace of the county for which such person is appointed sheriff and shall be enrolled and kept by the said clerk of the peace without fee.

[F6 (3A) In relation to Wales—

(a) subsection (3) above shall apply as if it required the duplicate warrant to be transferred to, and enrolled and kept by, the proper officer of the appropriate county or county borough council; and

(b) section 3(4) above shall not apply.

(3B) Any question as to which is the appropriate county or county borough council in relation to a particular warrant shall be determined by the Secretary of State.]

(4) Nothing in this section shall apply to the counties of Cornwall, Lancaster F7 . . .

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in s. 6(1) repealed (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 145, 146, 148, Sch. 17 para. 4, Sch. 18 Pt. 4; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 paras. 28, 30(d)

F5 Words in s. 6(1) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F6 S. 6(3A)(3B) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 62(4) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/31987, art. 6(3), Sch. 5

F7 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 Reference to clerk of the peace of the county to be construed as reference to proper officer of county council: Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 8 para. 1 and Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 4(1)(b)

C8 S. 6(3) modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

7 Declaration of office. E+W

(1) Every sheriff shall, before he enters on the execution of his office, make and subscribe a declaration in the form in the Second Schedule to this Act or to the like [F8 effect—

(a) before one of the judges of Her Majesty’s High Court; or

(b) in the county of which he is sheriff before a justice of the peace.]

F8 (2) Every sheriff shall continue to be and act as sheriff until his successor has made the said declaration and entered upon office.

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 7(1)(a)(b) and preceding word substituted (1.4.2005) for words by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 58; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 7(1) modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

Powers, Duties, and Liabilities E+W

8 Powers of sheriff for posse comitatus. E+W

F9 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) If a sheriff finds any resistance in the execution of a writ he shall take with him the power of the county, and shall go in proper person to do execution, and may arrest the resisters and commit them to prison, and every such resister shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 8(1) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58), Sch. 3 Pt. III

F10 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 9 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

10 Duties as to execution of writs. E+W

(1) A sheriff at the request of a person delivering a writ to him for execution shall give a receipt for that writ stating the day of its delivery.

F11 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F11 S. 10(2) repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

F12 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F12 S. 11 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F13 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 12 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. I

F14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F14 Ss. 13, 14(2)(3) repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

F15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 14 repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

15 Liability for wrongful imprisonment. E+W

A person unlawfully imprisoned by a sheriff or any of his officers shall have an action against such sheriff in like manner as against any other person that should imprison him without warrant.

16 Liability for escape. E+W

(1) If a person in the custody of the sheriff or any of his officers or of any other person, either in execution or for non-performance of a judgment or order of the High Court, or for contempt of that court or otherwise in the course of a civil proceeding, escapes out of legal custody, such sheriff or other person shall be liable to pay the damages sustained by the person at whose suit such prisoner was taken into custody, and all costs of any action or other proceeding to recover the same, but not any further sum.

F16 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 16(2) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

17 Disability to act as justice of the peace. E+W

A person shall not, while he is sheriff of a county, act as a justice of the [F17 peace in any local justice area consisting of or including the whole or a part of]F17 that county, and if he does so act, all his acts done as such justice of the peace shall be void.

Textual Amendments

F17 Words in s. 17 substituted (1.4.2005) for words by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 59; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 17 modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

F18 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F18 S. 18 repealed by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), Sch. 5 Pt. V

F19 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F19 S. 19 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

20 Fees and poundage. E+W

F20 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Any sheriff or officer of a sheriff concerned in the execution of process directed to the sheriff, other than process for the recovery of the aforesaid sums due to the Crown, may demand, take, and receive such fees and poundage as may from time to time be fixed by the Lord Chancellor, with the advice and consent of the judges of the Court of Appeal and High Court, or any three of them, and with the concurrence of the Treasury.

[F21 (2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to the execution of process under a power to use the procedure in Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (taking control of goods).]

(3) Any sheriff or officer of a sheriff, and any officer arresting or having in custody any person by virtue of any action, writ, or attachment, shall not demand or take any reward to do his office except such remuneration as is given to the sheriffs by the Crown, F22 . . . and such fees and poundage as are above-mentioned or are allowed by or in pursuance of any other Act, and, save as allowed by this Act, shall not demand or take directly or indirectly any reward for doing his office or duty or for abstaining therefrom, or in respect of the mode in which he does his office or duty.

F23 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 20(1) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F21 S. 20(2A) inserted (6.4.2014) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), s. 148, Sch. 13 para. 20 (with s. 89); S.I. 2014/768, art. 2(1)(b)

F22 Words in s. 20(3) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F23 S. 20(4) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

Accounts E+W

F24 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 21 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F25 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 22 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

Under-Sheriff and Officers E+W

23 Obligation to appoint under-sheriff and declaration of office by under-sheriff. E+W

(1) Every sheriff shall within one month after the notification of his appointment in the London Gazette by writing under his hand appoint some fit person to be his under-sheriff, and shall transmit a duplicate of such written appointment to the clerk of the peace for the county which shall be filed by him among the records of his office.

F26 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Every under-sheriff shall before he enters on the execution of his office make a declaration in the form in the Second Schedule to this Act or to the like [F27 effect—

(a) before one of the judges of Her Majesty’s High Court; or

(b) in the county for which such under-sheriff is appointed before a justice of the peace.F27 ]

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 23(2) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F27 S. 23(3)(a)(b) and preceding word substituted (1.4.2005) for words by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 60; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 23 amended by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), s. 219(5)

C12 References to clerk of the peace for the county to be construed as references to proper officer of county council: Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 8 para. 1 and Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 4(1)(b)

C13 S. 23(1)(3) modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

24 Obligation to appoint deputy resident in London. E+W

Every sheriff shall appoint a sufficient deputy, who shall be resident or have an office within one mile from the Inner Temple Hall, for the receipt of writs, the granting of warrants thereon, the making of returns thereto, and the acceptance of all rules and orders to be made on or touching the execution of any process or writ to be directed to such sheriff.

25 Execution of office by under-sheriff on death or suspension of sheriff. E+W

(1) Where the sheriff of a county dies before the expiration of his year of office or before he is lawfully superseded, the under-sheriff by him appointed shall nevertheless continue in office and shall until another sheriff be appointed for the said county and has made the declaration of office, execute the office of sheriff, in the name of the deceased sheriff, and be answerable for the execution of the said office as the deceased sheriff would by law have been if living; and the security given to the sheriff so deceased by the said under-sheriff and his pledges shall remain and be a security to the Crown and to all persons whomsoever for such under-sheriff’s due execution of the offices of sheriff and under-sheriff.

(2) When it becomes the duty of an under-sheriff to act as sheriff under the provisions of this section he may by writing under his hand appoint a deputy.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 25 amended by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), s. 40(4)

26 Declaration by bailiffs, &c. E+W

Every deputy bailiff and officer of a sheriff or under-sheriff, and every other person who has authority or takes upon himself F28 . . ., or to intermeddle with the execution of writs issued by any court of record, shall before he does so make a declaration F29 . . .in the form in the Second Schedule to this Act, or to the like [F30 effect—

(a)

before any judge of the High Court; or

(b)

in the county in which he exercises his authority before a justice of the peace.]

[F31 F30 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any enforcement officer or any person acting under the authority of an enforcement officer.F31 ]

Textual Amendments

F28 Words repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. I

F29 Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. V

F30 S. 26(1)(a)(b) and preceding word substituted (1.4.2005) for words by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 61(3); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F31 S. 26(2) inserted (15.3.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 61(4); S.I. 2004/401, art. 2(b)(iii) (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 26 modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

27 Sale of offices prohibited. E+W

(1) A person shall not directly or indirectly by himself or by any person in trust for him or for his use buy, sell, F32 . . . the office of under-sheriff, deputy-sheriff, bailiff, or any other office or place appertaining to the office of sheriff, nor contract for, promise, or grant for any valuable consideration whatever any such office or place, nor give, promise, or receive any valuable consideration whatever for any such office or place.

(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section, not being an under-sheriff, deputy-sheriff, bailiff, or officer of a sheriff, shall be liable to the same punishment as if he were an under-sheriff, deputy-sheriff, bailiff, or officer.

(3) Provided that this section shall not prevent the sheriff or under-sheriff from demanding and taking the lawful fees and perquisites of the office of sheriff or of any place or employment belonging thereto, nor from taking security for duly answering for the same, and shall not prevent any officer of a sheriff from accounting to the sheriff for the fees and perquisites received by him in respect of his office, nor from giving security so to account, and shall not prevent a sheriff from giving nor an officer from receiving a salary or remuneration for the execution of his office.

Textual Amendments

F32 Words in s. 27(1) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

Outgoing Sheriff E+W

F33 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 28 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

Miscellaneous E+W

29 Punishment for misconduct. E+W

(1) If a person being a sheriff, under-sheriff, bailiff, or officer of a sheriff F34 . . ., does any of the following things, that is to say—

F35 (a), (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) is guilty of an offence against or breach of the provisions of this Act,

he shall (without prejudice to any other punishment under the provisions of this Act) be guilty of a misdemeanour, and be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and to pay a fine, or if he has not wherewith to pay a fine, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

(2) If any person being either a sheriff, under-sheriff, bailiff, or officer of a sheriff, or being employed in levying or collecting debts due to the Crown by process of any court, or being an officer to whom the return or execution of writs belongs, does any of the following things, that is to say—

F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F37 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) grants a warrant for the execution of any writ before he has actually received that writ; or

(d) is guilty of any offence against or breach of the provisions of this Act, or of any wrongful act or neglect or default in the execution of his office or of any contempt of any superior court;

he and any person procuring the commission of any such offence shall, without prejudice to any other punishment under the provisions of this Act, but subject as herein-after mentioned, be liable—

(i) to be punished by the court as herein-after mentioned; and

(ii) to forfeit two hundred pounds, and to pay all damages suffered by any person aggrieved,

and such forfeiture and damages may be recovered by such person as a debt by an action in Her Majesty’s High Court.

[F38 (2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to any enforcement officer or any person acting under the authority of an enforcement officer.]

F38 (3) Any of the following courts, that is to say, Her Majesty’s High Court, F39 . . ., or any judge of any of the said courts, also where the alleged offence has been committed in relation to any writ issued out of any other court of record than those above-mentioned, the court out of which such writ issued, may on complaint made of any such offence as aforesaid having been committed and on proof on oath given by the examination of witnesses or by affidavit or on interrogatories of the commission of the alleged offence, and after hearing anything which the alleged offender may urge in his defence (which evidence and hearing may be taken and had in a summary manner) punish the offender or cause proceedings to be taken for his punishment in like manner as a person guilty of contempt of the said court may be punished.

(4) The court may order the costs of or occasioned by any such complaint to be paid by either party to the other and an order by the High Court in any such summary proceeding to pay any costs, damages, or penalty shall be of the same effect as a judgment of the High Court, and may be enforced accordingly.

(5) Any of the said courts being a superior court of record may also proceed for and deal with such offence in like manner as for any contempt of such court.

(6) If any person not being an under-sheriff, bailiff, or officer of a sheriff, assumes or pretends to act as such F40 . . ., he shall be guilty of contempt of Her Majesty’s High Court, and be liable to be punished in manner provided by this section as if he were an under-sheriff guilty of a contempt of such court.

(7) Any proceeding in pursuance of this section against a sheriff, under-sheriff or any other person to whom this section applies shall be taken within two years after the alleged offence was committed and not subsequently, and if the proceeding is in a summary manner shall be taken before the end of the sittings of the court held next after the offence was committed and not subsequently.

(8) Nothing in this section shall render a person liable to be punished twice in respect of the same offence, but if any proceeding is taken against a person under this section for any offence the court or judge may postpone or stay such proceeding and direct any other available proceeding to be taken for punishing such offence.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

F35 S. 29(1)(a)(b) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58), Sch. 3 Pt. III

F36 Words in s. 29(1)(2) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F37 S. 29(2)(b) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. I

F38 S. 29(2A) inserted (15.3.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 100, 110, Sch. 8 para. 62; S.I. 2004/401, art. 2(b)(iii)

F39 Words repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

F40 Words repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. I

30 Filing and exemption from duty of declaration of office. E+W

(1) Every declaration of office made under this Act by a sheriff of a county or his under-sheriff shall F41 . . .be transmitted to the clerk of the peace for the county, and be by him filed among the records of his office.

F42 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F41 Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. V

F42 S. 30(2) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 References to clerk of the peace for the county to be construed as references to proper officer of county council: Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 8 para. 1 and Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 4(1)(b)

C17 S. 30 modified by Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), s. 19(4)

Application of Act in Special Cases E+W

F43 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F43 S. 31 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F44 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F44 S. 32 repealed by S.I. 1964/366, Sch. 11

33 Saving for privileges of city of London and approval of election of sheriffs of London. E+W

(1) Nothing in this Act shall affect the privilege of the mayor, commonalty, and citizens of the city of London to elect the F45 . . . sheriffs of London.

(2) Unless otherwise directed by order of Her Majesty in Council, warrants signifying the approval by Her Majesty of the election of the F45 . . . sheriffs of London shall be prepared under the seal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the central office of the [F46 Senior Courts], which warrants may be delivered to the said sheriffs or their duly authorised agents without fee on the thirtieth day of September or between that day and the twelfth day of November in every year, and an entry of the grant of such warrants shall be made on the roll of the court, and unless such warrant be stayed by order of Her Majesty in Council on or before the said thirtieth day of September, the election of such F45 . . . sheriffs shall be deemed to be approved by Her Majesty.

(3) All warrants and documents relating to the said F45 . . . sheriffs which heretofore have been filed and recorded in the central office of the [F46 Senior Courts] shall continue to be so filed and recorded.

(4) Save as aforesaid F47 . . . this Act shall apply to the F45 . . . sheriffs of London in like manner as to any other sheriff.

Textual Amendments

F45 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)

F46 Words in Act substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 4; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

F47 Words in s. 33(4) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F48 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F48 S. 34 repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

F49 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F49 S. 35 repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV

F50 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F50 S. 36 repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

37 Saving for Duchy of Cornwall. E+W

Nothing in this Act shall be prejudicial to the rights of the Crown in right of the Duchy of Cornwall, or to the Duke of Cornwall when there is a Duke of Cornwall.

Definitions and Repeal E+W

38 Definitions. E+W

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires—

• [F51 The expression “county”, in relation to England, means, subject to the provisions of Schedule 2A to this Act, a county for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1972;]

• [F52 “enforcement officer” means an individual who is authorised to act as an enforcement officer under the Courts Act 2003;]

• F52 F53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• The expression “writ” includes any process.

• F54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F55 ...

Textual Amendments

F51 Words in s. 38 inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/1748, reg. 8(1)(a)

F52 S. 38: definition of "enforcement officer" inserted (15.3.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 63; S.I. 2004/401, art. 2(b)(iii)

F53 Definitions of “Treasury” and “county” repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49) and Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30

F54 Definition of “quarter sessions” repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)

F55 Words in s. 38 repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1)(3), 110, Sch. 8 para. 63, Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)(aa)

39 Repeal. E+W

F56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1) This repeal shall not affect,—

F57 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) the right of any city or borough under any charter; or

(d) any such power, right, privilege, obligation, liability, or duty of any sheriff or officer of a sheriff as exists by common law at the passing of this Act; F57 . . .

F57 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F58 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F56 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)

F57 S. 39 except para. (formerly proviso) (1)(c)(d) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

F58 S. 39(3) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1966 (c. 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 “This repeal” means repeal of enactments specified in Sch. 3 to this Act.

40

F59 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F60 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F59 S. 40(1) repealed by Administration of Justice Act 1977 (c. 38), Sch. 5 Pt. V

F60 S. 40(2) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Group 1

SCHEDULES

Section 6 (2).

THE FIRST SCHEDULE E+W Form of Warrant appointing Sheriff

At the Court at the day of present the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty in Council.

To A.B.,of

Whereas Her Majesty was this day pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to nominate you for and appoint you to be sheriff of the county of during Her Majesty’s pleasure:

These are therefore to require you to take the custody and charge of the said county, and duly to perform the duties of sheriff thereof during Her Majesty’s pleasure, whereof you are duly to answer according to law.

Dated this day of

By Her Majesty’s command.

Sections 7(1),23(3).

THE SECOND SCHEDULE E+W

Declaration of Sheriff and Under Sheriff E+W

I, A.B.,of , in the county of do solemnly declare that I will well and truly serve the Queen’s Majesty *[and also his Royal Highness Duke of Cornwall] in the office of sheriff/under sheriff of the county of and promote Her Majesty’s *[and his Royal Highness’s] profit in all things that belong to my office as far as I legally can or may; I will truly preserve the Queen’s rights *[and the rights of his Royal Highness] and all that belongeth to the Crown *[or Duchy of Cornwall]; I will not assent to decrease, lessen, or conceal the rights of the Queen F61 . . .*[or the rights of his Royal Highness, F61 . . .]; and whenever I shall have knowledge that the rights of the Crown *[or Duchy] are concealed or withdrawn in any matter or thing I will do my utmost to make them be restored to the Crown *[or Duchy] again; and if I may not do it myself I will inform the Queen *[or his Royal Highness] or some of Her Majesty’s judges thereof; I will not respite or delay to levy the Queen’s debts for any gift promise reward or favour where I may raise the same without great grievance to the debtors; I will do right as well to poor as to rich in all things belonging to my office; I will do no wrong to any man for any gift reward or promise nor for favour or hatred; I will disturb no man’s right, and will truly and faithfully acquit at the Exchequer all those of whom I shall receive any debts or sums or money belonging to the Crown *[or Duchy]; I will take nothing whereby the Queen *[or his Royal Highness] may lose or whereby her *[or his] right may be disturbed injured or delayed; I will truly return and truly serve all the Queen’s writs according to the best of my skill and knowledge; [I will take no bailiffs into my service but such as I will answer for;]†I will truly set and return reasonable and due issues of them that be within my bailiwick according to their estate and circumstances, and make due pannels of persons able and sufficient and not suspected or procured as is appointed by the statutes of this realm; [I have not sold or let to farm, nor contracted for, nor have I granted or promised for reward or benefit, nor will I sell or let to farm nor contract for or grant for reward or benefit by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly my sheriffwick or any bailiwick thereof or any office belonging thereunto or the profits of the same to any person or persons whatsoever;]††I will truly and diligently execute the good laws and statutes of this realm, and in all things well and truly behave myself in my office for the honour of the Queen *[and his Royal Highness] and the good of her subjects, and discharge the same according to the best of my skill and power.

Textual Amendments

F61 Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1978 (c. 45), s. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. XII

*The words within square brackets to be added in case of the Duchy of Cornwall.†In the case of under-sheriffs, omit the words between brackets.††In the case of under-sheriffs, omit the words between brackets, and say: [“I have not bought purchased or taken to farm or contracted for nor have I promised or given any consideration nor will I buy purchase or take to farm or contract for promise or give any consideration whatsoever by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly to any person whomsoever for the office of under-sheriff of the county of which I am now to enter upon and enjoy, nor for the profits of the same nor for any bailiwick thereof or any other place or office belonging thereunto; I have not sold nor contracted for or let to farm, nor have I granted or promised for reward or benefit by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly any bailiwick thereof or any other place or office belonging thereunto.”]

FORM OF DECLARATION FOR BAILIFF, DEPUTY, OR OFFICER OF SHERIFF E+W

Section 26

I, A.B.,do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare that I will not use or exercise the office of corruptly during the time that I shall remain therein F62 . . .

Textual Amendments

F62 Words repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. I

Section 38

[F63 SCHEDULE 2A E+W MEANING OF “COUNTY”

Textual Amendments

F63 Sch. 2A inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/1748, reg. 8(1)(b)

For the purposes of this Act, the counties or parts of counties specified in column (2) of the following Table shall be deemed to form one county known by the name specified in respect of those counties or parts in column (1) of the Table—

TABLE

(1)	(2)
[F64 Bedfordshire]	[F64 [F65 Bedford, Central Bedfordshire] and Luton]
[F64 Buckinghamshire]	[F64 Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes]
[F66 Cambridgeshire]	[F66 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough]
[F66 Cheshire]	[F66 [F67 Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and], Halton and Warrington]
[F64 Derbyshire]	[F64 Derbyshire and Derby]
[F66 Devon]	[F66 Devon, Plymouth and Torbay]
[F64 Dorset]	[F68 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset]
Durham	Durham [F69 , Darlington] and Hartlepool and so much of the county of Stockton-on-Tees as lies north of the line for the time being of the centre of the River Tees
The East Riding of Yorkshire	The East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull (City of)
[F64 East Sussex]	[F64 East Sussex and Brighton and Hove]
[F66 Essex]	[F66 Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock]
Gloucestershire	Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire
[F64 Hampshire]	[F64 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton]
[F66 Kent]	[F66 Kent and the Medway Towns]
[F66 Lancashire]	[F66 Lancashire, Blackburn and Blackpool]
[F64 Leicestershire]	[F64 Leicestershire and Leicester]
Lincolnshire	Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
North Yorkshire	North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and York and so much of the county of Stockton-on-Tees as lies south of the centre for the time being of the river Tees
[F66 Nottinghamshire]	[F66 Nottinghamshire and Nottingham]
[F66 Shropshire]	[F66 Shropshire and The Wrekin]
Somerset	Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and North West Somerset]
[[F64 Staffordshire]	[F64 Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent]
[F64 Wiltshire]	[F64 Wiltshire and Thamesdown]]

Textual Amendments

F64 Entries in Sch. 2A inserted (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2009, art. 2(1)(b)

F65 Words in Sch. 2A substituted (1.4.2009) by Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/837), arts. 1, 11(a)

F66 Entries in Sch. 2A inserted (1.4.1998) by S.I. 1997/1992, art. 3

F67 Words in Sch. 2A substituted (1.4.2009) by Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/837), arts. 1, 11(b)

F68 Words in Sch. 2A substituted (1.4.2019) by The Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Supplementary Provision and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/615), arts. 1, 5

F69 Word in Sch. 2A inserted (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2009, art. 2(1)(a)

F70 THIRD SCHEDULE E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F70 Sch. 3 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)