The Recorder and Common Serjeant of London, Circuit Judges, Judge Advocate General
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 the Recorder and Common Serjeant of London, Circuit Judges and Judge Advocate General both verbally and in writing.
The Recorder and Common Serjeant of London
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) | Dear... |
|---|---|---|
|
Recorder of London |
The Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) |
Recorder |
| Common Serjeant of London |
The Common Serjeant His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) |
Common Serjeant |
| Retired Recorder/Common Serjeant | As retired Circuit Judge |
Please note: Where a member of the judiciary customarily holds the title of Honorary Recorder of... it should be noted that he/she is a senior Circuit Judge and should be addressed as His/Her Honour Judge... Honorary Recorder of... and must not be confused with Recorders who are part-time judiciary.
Circuit Judges
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) | Dear... | Orally | In Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Male: |
His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) |
Judge |
Judge |
Usually Your Honour. But depending on context sometimes My Lord/My Lady |
| Also a Peer | His Honour Judge The Lord Doe | Judge | ||
| Also a Baronet or Knight |
His Honour Judge Sir John Doe Bt His Honour Judge Sir John Doe |
Judge | ||
| Retired | His Honour John Doe | Judge | ||
| Female: | Her Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) | Judge | ||
| Also a Peeress | Her Honour Judge The Lady Doe | Judge | ||
| Also a Dame | Her Honour Judge Dame Joan Doe DBE | Judge | ||
| Retired | Her Honour Mary Doe | Judge | Judge, or Mr Doe etc. |
Please note: Forenames are not inserted unless there are two judges with the same or similar surname, in which case the junior judge of the two uses his forename and surname.
Judge Advocate General
| Address (in correspondence) | Dear... | Orally |
|---|---|---|
|
Judge Advocate General - if a Circuit judge: His Honour Judge Doe (QC if applicable), Judge Advocate General |
Judge or Judge Advocate General |
Your Honour |
|
Judge Advocate General - if not a Circuit judge: delete "His Honour" |
Judge or Judge Advocate General |
Judge |
|
Vice-Judge Advocate General: Judge John Doe, Vice-Judge Advocate General |
Judge | Judge |
|
Judge Advocate of the Fleet [Please note: The office of Judge Advocate of the Fleet will be abolished by implementation the Armed Forces Act 2006.] |
Judge | Your Honour |
|
Assistant Judge Advocate General: Judge Advocate Doe |
Judge | Judge |
|
Deputy Judge Advocate (Part-time): Mr John Doe (or according to other office held) |
Mr Doe |
(In court) Judge |
| In retirement | No title (unless a retired circuit judge or other office) | No title (unless a retired circuit judge or other office) |