Forms of address for the Judiciary
There are certain protocols that are followed when addressing members of the judiciary. The following page sets out some information about these, taken from the Crown Office guidance document on forms of address. The full Forms of Address document can be downloaded from the Ministry of Justice website.
The Heads of Division and Court of Appeal
The Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the President of the Family Division, President of the Queens Bench and the Chancellor of the High Court are all members of the Privy Council and they are addressed by their judicial titles prefixed by "The Right Honourable".
For example:
| Address (in Correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| The Right Honourable The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales |
Lord Chief Justice/Chief Justice |
My Lord |
| 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 |
President | |
| The Right Honourable The Chancellor of the High Court |
Chancellor | |
| Retired Head of Division | Title in Private Capacity | N/A |
Court of Appeal Judge
Judges who sit in the Court of Appeal (Lords Justices of Appeal) are Privy Councillors. They are known officially as Lord Justices. They should be addressed as follows:
| Address
(in Correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| The Right Honourable Lord Justice Smith | Lord Justice | My Lord |
| The Right Honourable Lady Justice Smith DBE | Lady Justice | My Lady |
High Court Judges
Members of the High Court are not usually Privy Councillors.
Their official designation is as follows:
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Court judge |
The Honourable Mr Justice Smith |
Judge |
My Lord |
| High Court judge |
The Honourable Mrs Justice Smith (whether married or single) |
Judge |
My Lady |
High Court Masters & Registrars
| Office/Position | Address
(in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master | Master Smith
(whether male or female) |
Master | Master |
| Registrar | Mr (or Mrs) Registrar Smith | Registrar | Registrar |
Circuit judges
Some Circuit Judges – for example, The Recorder of Liverpool or Central Criminal Court judges – are referred to as "My Lord" or "My Lady".
| Address
(in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| His Honour Judge Smith (QC if appropriate) | Judge | Your Honour |
| Her Honour Judge Smith (QC if appropriate) | Judge | Your Honour |
District Judges
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| District Judge Smith | Judge | Sir or Madam |
District Judge (Magistrates' Courts)
| Address
(in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Smith | Judge | Sir or Madam |
Magistrates
| Dear... | In court |
|---|---|
| John Smith Esq. JP | Your Worship, or Sir or Madam |
Tribunal chairmen
| Dear... | In court |
|---|---|
| Normal Titles in their private capacities, or where a holder of more senior office, according to that title. | Sir or Madam |
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Judges
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | In court |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration Judge Smith | Judge | Sir or Madam |
