In last week's blog I explained what a Sheriff of the City of London does based on the report of his year as Sheriff by my good friend and fellow Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Marketors, Andrew Marsden. I had worked on Andrew’s election campaign, and I referred at the end of the blog to the fact that I also worked on the election campaign of the Hon Liz Green a few years ago when she was elected as Non-Aldermanic Sheriff. Liz has taken on a second Shrieval role and this year is the High Sheriff of the county of Hertfordshire.

The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown and there have been High Sheriffs for at least 1000 years. They were originally responsible for enforcement of law and order in each county, judging cases in monthly courts and acting as law enforcement officers.

In the 12th century, Henry II introduced the system of Itinerant Judges from which evolved the Assize Court system, and it became the Sheriff's responsibility to ensure the safety and comfort of the judges. This included trumpeting their arrival in the county, providing them with accommodation and having ready the court, prisoners and juries. The High Sheriff was also responsible for the execution of sentences. These responsibilities have evolved into the modern High Sheriff's duty of care for the well-being of visiting High Court judges.

In the middle of the 13th century, the system of Justices of the Peace sitting in Magistrates Courts was created. This remains a vital part of the criminal justice system, made-up mostly of trained volunteers who sit in their community.

In 1971 the court system was restructured. Crown courts which sit all year round replaced the Assizes and Quarter Sessions. Today there are 600 Circuit judges in England and Wales, sitting in both the Crown and County Courts, dealing with criminal, civil and family law. They are supported in the County Court by District Judges. In Hertfordshire, High Court judges visit St Albans and Watford courts to try the most complex criminal and family cases.

A church service was traditionally held at the beginning of the Assizes, and this has developed into an annual Justice Service, organised by the High Sheriff. It brings together, gives thanks for and supports all who administer law and order in the county together with those who work to prevent offending behaviour, protect our society, provide support for all who need it and contribute in other ways to make Hertfordshire a county of opportunity for all. Liz kindly invited me to attend the service that was held two weeks ago in Saint Albans cathedral.

Let me talk about the Shrievalty of Hertfordshire. In the year 959 King Edgar is said to have established Hertford as the principal borough of the shire or county that bears its name. He appointed a ‘Shire Reeve’ to act in effect as the governor of the new county, holding in his name both civil and military power.

The duties of the office have evolved over time, but High Sheriffs are still appointed personally by the Monarch, on the advice of the Privy Council. The appointment of a High Sheriff is made each March by pricking individual names with an ancient bodkin, which is a traditional form of document security that is said to date back to the early Tudor period and King Henry VIII. Pricking the vellum scroll ensured that the record could not be altered, and future High Sheriffs could not change their mind! Supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the High Sheriff role, and they actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector.

The office of High Sheriff is held for one year, beginning in April. The High Sheriff remains the Returning Officer for parliamentary elections for all county constituencies and has responsibility for proclaiming the accession of a new Sovereign. The role is independent and non-political, which enables High Sheriffs to bring a wide variety of people together within the county. They support the many charitable and voluntary organisations that help the most vulnerable individuals and groups in our communities.

In March each year High Sheriff Awards take place. These are funded by the High Sheriff's Fund, which is administered by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, and half of the collection at the Service will have gone towards these awards. The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to champion and celebrate some of the outstanding work that takes place in Hertfordshire. With over 3000 charities in the county there is much to celebrate, with support for people of all ages, all faiths and all backgrounds.

In her role as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Liz Green's priorities for the year are to support the judiciary, the police and other emergency services, and all other agencies involved in crime prevention and in administration of justice. Liz’s theme for the year is ‘Reading, writing and rehabilitation.’ Her involvement with the community has included liaising with the police, probation and charities across the county to work to improve literacy, and to help those leaving prison and/or probation. Poor literacy can prevent so many basic activities that most of us take for granted, such as reading a bus timetable or instructions on a medicine bottle, applying for work, or understanding essential documents. For the past three years Liz has volunteered for Shannon Trust, a charity which helps those in prison teach others to learn to read or improve their reading. This is done on a one-to-one basis, without exams, and at the learner’s pace, and the model is being extended beyond prison to local communities. Among Liz’s other charitable activities, she is a Trustee of the Butler Trust, which recognises good practice in prisons and the wider criminal justice system.

Since taking office Liz has visited St Albans Crown Court, the family and civil courts in Watford and magistrates courts, and has attended hearings with tribunal services and the Youth Offender Panel. She has hosted lunches at Saint Albans Crown Court, with a number of charity representatives joining her and the sitting judges.

Liz has been fortunate to attend a conference organised by the Hertfordshire Black and Asian Police Association, and a Hate Crime Awareness and Mock Court Trial. She has visited the control centre at Police HQ, as well as individual police stations, and watched police dogs training, been out on patrol, and presented long service and bravery awards.

Visiting charities that covers so many different facets of life has been a huge joy for her, yet a challenge at the same time, as it underlines the struggle that many in our local communities face on a daily basis.

I felt privileged to attend what was a highly prestigious service. The cathedral was virtually full. The civic procession consisted of:
 

Mayors and Chairmen of Hertfordshire Authorities  

Officers of the St Alban’s City and District Council
Councillors of Town and Parish Councils  within the City and District of St Albans
Councillors of the City and District of St Albans
Honorary Aldermen of the City and District of St Albans
The Chairman, Leader and Councillors of Hertfordshire County Council
The Member of Parliament for South West Hertfordshire
The Police and Crime Commissioner Hertfordshire
The Deputy Mayor of the City and District of St Albans
Strategic Director for Customer, Business and Corporate Support
 representing the chief executive of St Albans City and District Council
The Right Worshipful The Mayor of the City and District of S Albans
 

But in the general congregation there were also many other dignitaries including several High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties, an unusual occurrence apparently and very much a tribute to Liz’s reputation in the role. I will not go through the order of service except to say that much of it focused on issues like mercy, but I will quote from the bidding that was read by Liz Green as the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

“We gather here today to give thanks for our system of law and order and to acknowledge with gratitude the contributions of all those who work to uphold the law and administer justice. We pray especially for those who ensure that justice and liberty prevail in our county of Hertfordshire: our judges and magistrates, police, prison and probation services, those who support victims, the armed forces, emergency services and a wide range of other public and voluntary groups and faith communities who work towards a fairer, just and peaceful society.

At this service we affirm that we value and will continue to defend the freedom and civil liberties that we are so fortunate to enjoy in this country, and that we will commit ourselves afresh to the cause of justice for all in a world which respects difference and upholds the common good.

We remember with thanksgiving the community commitment to the Christian Church, and of all faith communities, to the pursuit of truth, the dignity of all humanity, in the exercise of justice, mercy and humility and the service of our fellow citizens.”

I am no longer a regular churchgoer and haven't been for most of my adult life. However, I do recognise the important work the church does in the community. Both my brother and his wife are vicars in the Church of England in Yorkshire and while much of their work is pastoral, a great deal of it is acting as social workers. They are not well paid for this, but it means they have led a very full and satisfying life. Liz Green of course is not paid for her role as High Sheriff but is making a great success of her year and is sharing that widely in the community.