Chief Justiciar

The chief justiciar is the chief judicial and political minister of England, and the head of the royal bureaucracy. The chief justiciar is the most important secular official in the country.
When the king is in England, the chief justiciar is head of the judiciary. They preside over the King's court of justice at Westminster, and over sessions of the Exchequer.
When the king is overseas, the chief justiciar acts as regent or viceroy, responsible for the entire government of the kingdom in the place of the king.

Qualifications

The oinly real qualification is the king's trust and confidence. Chief justiciars are usually educated man who alreadt have high statusas a bishop or baron. They were usually legal experts even before their appointment.

Appointment

The king appoints the chief justiciar.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

The chief justiciar serves at the king's pleasure, and may be dismissed only by the king. When William Longchamp was deposed as Chief Justiciar in October 1191, it was on the strength of letters from King Richard I authorising his co-justiciars to do so if necessary.

History

King William I (1066-1087) trusted his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, and later Ranulf Flambard, Bishop of Durham, to act as regents or lieutenants in his stead. Their positions were not formal, however. The office of Justiciar (later Chief Justiciar) was not created until the reigh of King Henry I (1100-1135).

Type

Civic, Law

Status

Active office

Alternative Naming

Justiciar

Source of Authority

The king

Length of Term

variable

First Holder

Roger of Salisbury

Current Holders

• Walter de Coutances

Past Holders

• Hugh de Puiset
• Rannulf Glanville
• William Longchamp

Reports directly to

King

Related Organizations

• England