Heads of Division, Judicial Security, Lords of Appeal in Ordinary
Security note: For security reasons it is essential that correspondence to Judiciary - whether serving or retired at their private addresses should omit all reference to their Judicial rank. Plain or double envelopes must be used.
The tables below show you how to address Heads of Division, Judicial Security, Lords of Appeal in Ordinary both verbally and in writing.
Heads of Divisions
There are five Heads of Divisions. They are:
- Lord Chief Justice
- Master of the Rolls
- President of the Queen's Bench Division
- President of the Family Division
- Chancellor of the High Court
These are Privy Counsellors and should therefore be addressed by their judicial titles prefixed by "The Right Honourable".
Judicial Security
Judges and Judicial Officers should wherever possible be addressed in their Official capacity, (full title, with honours) at their official address - see below:
| Type or correspondence | Forms of address |
|---|---|
| Routine correspondence to private address | Non-judicial forms of address |
| Individual letters sent to judges | Non-judicial title on the envelope, with the full title used on the letter |
| Sensitive and personal correspondence | Double enveloped using the non-judicial title on the outer envelope, with the full title on the inner envelope and the letter. |
For example:
| Address (in correspondence) | Dear... |
|---|---|
|
The Right Honourable The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales |
Lord Chief Justice/Chief Justice |
| The Right Honourable The Master of the Rolls | Master of the Rolls |
| The Right Honourable The President of the Queen's Bench Division | President |
| The Right Honourable The President of the Family Division | |
| The Right Honourable The Chancellor of the High Court | Chancellor |
| Retired Head of Division | Title in Private Capacity |
Please note: Honours and decorations are not included unless referring to the person by name.
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are judges who sit in the House of Lords. They are Privy Counsellors and should be addressed as follows:
| Address (in correspondence) | Dear... | Orally/In Court |
|---|---|---|
| The Right Honourable The Lord Doe, or The Right Honourable The Lady Doe |
Lord Doe, or Lady Doe |
My Lords[collectively] Your Lordships/ Your Ladyships |
|
If rank in peerage is higher than that of Baron: eg The Right Honourable The Viscount Doe |
Lord Doe/Lady Doe | |
| However, where a Duke | Duke | |
| Retired Lord of Appeal | Lord Doe /Lady Doe |