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Forms of address used in the United Kingdom are given below.

Terminology edit

Abbreviations edit

Right Honourable edit

The punctuation of "The Rt Hon" (abbreviation of "The Right Honourable") is not consistent throughout sources. The Gazette favours "The Rt. Hon.", while the government usually prefers "The Rt Hon" or "The Rt Hon."

The House of Lords and the College of Arms have discontinued the use of "The Right Honourable" unless the person is a Privy Counsellor. Instead, the post-nominal letters of "PC" are used.

Names and territorial designations edit

  • "London" represents the territorial designation of any peerage.
    • "Edinburgh" represents any territorial designation in Scotland.
  • "John" and "William" represent any male name
  • "Jane" and "Mary" represent any female name.
  • "Smith" and "Brown" represent any lastname, regardless of gender.

In regards to the nobility, Mary Brown represents a woman who married John Brown, while Jane Smith represents an unmarried woman.

The definite article "the" in the middle of two or more titles is sometimes capitalized, as in these tables. However this is controversial: traditional British guides use the lower-case "the". As a single example, Debrett's gives "Major-General the Lord ...",[1] and Pears' Cyclopaedia in the section on Modes of Address gives several examples where the definite article interior to a list of honours is lower case.[2]

Royal Family edit

Rank or position On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter Verbal communication Ref.
The King HM The King Your Majesty Your Majesty,
and thereafter as "Sir"
(or the archaic "Sire")
The Queen (regnant or consort) HM The Queen Your Majesty,
and thereafter as "Ma'am"
(to rhyme with "jam" or "lamb") 		[3]
The Queen Mother

Queen Dowager

HM The Queen Mother

e.g. HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

HM Queen Mary

e.g. HM Queen Alexandra

The Prince of Wales HRH The Prince of Wales

(Wife: HRH The Princess of Wales)[a]

In Scotland:[b]

HRH The Duke of Rothesay

Your Royal Highness Your Royal Highness,
and thereafter as
"Sir" (for males)
or "Ma'am" (for females)
The Princess Royal HRH The Princess Royal
Royal peer or peeress
(in her own right or in her husband's) 		HRH The Duke of London

e.g. HRH The Duke of Cambridge

HRH The Duchess of London

e.g. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

Sovereign's children[c] HRH The Prince John

(Wife: HRH The Princess John)

HRH The Princess Mary

[4]
Children of the Prince of Wales[c] HRH Prince John of Wales

HRH Princess Mary of Wales

Sovereign's son's children[c][d]

Prince of Wales's eldest son's children

HRH Prince John of London

e.g. HRH Prince Michael of Kent[e]

(Wife: HRH Princess John of London)

e.g. HRH Princess Michael of Kent

HRH Princess Mary of London

e.g. HRH Princess Beatrice of York[f]

[4][6]
Sovereign's son's son's children[g][h] The Lord John Windsor

e.g. The Lord Nicholas Windsor[i]

(Wife: The Lady John Windsor)

e.g. The Lady Nicholas Windsor

The Lady Mary Windsor

e.g. The The Lady Helen Taylor[j]

Dear Lord John

(Wife: Dear Lady John)

Dear Lady Mary

Lord John

(Wife: Lady John)

Lay Mary

Notes:

  1. ^ The current wife of the Prince of Wales, Camilla Parker Bowles, uses the title of Duchess of Cornwall since her marriage in 2005, to avoid confusion with the previous Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, and is therefore styled as follows: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland).
  2. ^ In Scotland, the Dukedom of Rothesay ranks higher in the order of precedence, and as such the Principality of Wales is dropped in favour of the dukedom.
  3. ^ a b c Unless a peer, in which case the style for a Royal peer or peeress is used: HRH The Duke of London (for males), HRH The Duchess of London (for females).
  4. ^ Except the children of the Earl of Wessex, who, by their parents' choice, are styled as the children of an Earl.[5]
  5. ^ Son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Prince of Wales.
  6. ^ Daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, son of Queen Elizabeth II.
  7. ^ Except the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, whose styles are that of the Sovereign's son's children.
  8. ^ Styled as the children of a Duke, even if their father is not one (this considering children of a Sovereign are often elevated to a Dukedom upon marriage).
  9. ^ Son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of George V.
  10. ^ Daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of George V.

Peerage edit

Rank On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter[a] Verbal communication Ref.
Duke

Duchess

His Grace (The Most Noble)[b] The Duke of London

e.g. His Grace The Duke of Norfolk

Her Grace (The Most Noble)[b] The Duchess of London

e.g. Her Grace The Duchess of Hamilton

My Lord Duke
Dear Duke (of London)

Madam
Dear Duchess (of London)

Your Grace
Duke
Sir

Your Grace
Duchess
Ma'am

[10][11][12]
Marquess

Marchioness

(The Most Hon) The Marquess of London

e.g. The Marquess of Milford Haven

(The Most Hon) The Marquess London

e.g.The Marquess Camden

(The Most Hon) The Marquess of Smith

e.g. The Marquess of Cholmondeley

(The Most Hon) The Marquess Smith

e.g. The Marquess Conyngham

My Lord (Marquess)
Dear Lord London/Smith

Madam
Dear Lady London/Smith

My Lord
Your Lordship
Lord London/Smith

My Lady
Your Ladyship
Lady London/Smith

[12]
Earl

Countess

(The Rt Hon) The Earl of London

e.g. The Earl of Liverpool

(The Rt Hon) The Earl London

e.g. The Earl Cawdor

(The Rt Hon) The Earl of Smith

e.g. The Earl of Melville

(The Rt Hon) The Earl Smith

e.g. The Earl Howe or The Earl Attlee

(The Rt Hon) The Earl Smith of London

e.g. The Countess Mountbatten of Burma

My Lord
Dear Lord London

Madam or
Dear Lady London

My Lord
Your Lordship
Lord Smith/London

My Lady or
Your Ladyship or
Lady London

Viscount[c]

Viscountess

(The Rt Hon) The Viscount of London

e.g. The Viscount of Granard

(The Rt Hon) The Viscount London

e.g. The Viscountess Daventry or The Viscount Hereford

(The Rt Hon) The Viscount of Smith

e.g. The Viscount of Arbuthnott

(The Rt Hon) The Viscount Smith

e.g. The Viscount Palmerston

(The Rt Hon) The Viscount Smith of London

e.g. The Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden

Baron[d]

Baroness[e]

Lord of Parliament[f]

Lady of Parliament

(The Rt Hon) The Baron of London

e.g. The Baron of Newnham Paddockes or The Baron of Renfrew

(The Rt Hon) The Baron London

e.g. The Baron Windlesham or The Baron Ellenborough

(The Rt Hon) The Baron Smith

e.g. The Baroness Thatcher

(The Rt Hon) The Baron Smith of London

e.g. The Lord Mackay of Clashfern

Notes:

  1. ^ The forms given under "Salutation in Letter" are for use in formal and social correspondence, respectively.
  2. ^ a b "The Most Noble" (which is an abbreviation of "The Most High, Potent, and Noble")[7] is rarely used by Dukes and Duchesses; when used, the forenames of the peer or peeress can be used after "His Grace" but before "The Duke of ...".[8] This style is also sometimes used without "His Grace".[9]
  3. ^ Viscounts often use 'Lord' instead of 'Viscount', much like a Baron.
  4. ^ Barons often use 'Lord' instead of 'Baron', specially in life peerages.
  5. ^ Baronesses in their own right use 'Baroness' instead of 'Lady', to differenciate themselves from Baronesses in their husband's right.
  6. ^ Lords of Parliament almost always use 'Lord' instead of 'Baron'.

Dowagers and former wifes of peers edit

Rank On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter[a] Verbal communication Ref.
Dowager Duchess If the existing Duke is unmarried:

Her Grace The Duchess of London

e.g. Her Grace The Duchess of Grafton
(her son, the existing Duke, did not marry until 2011)

If the existing Duke is married:

Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of London

e.g. Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire
(her son, the existing Duke, was married)

If the widow of the predecessor is still alive:[b]

Her Grace Jane, Duchess of London

Madam
Dear Duchess (of London) 		Your Grace
(Dowager) Duchess
Ma'am 		[10][14]
Former wife of a Duke (unmarried) Jane, Duchess of London

e.g. Margaret, Duchess of Argyll
(former wife of the Duke of Argyll)

Madam
Dear Duchess (of London) 		Madam
Duchess 		[10]

Notes:

  1. ^ The forms given under "Salutation in Letter" are for use in formal and social correspondence, respectively.
  2. ^ In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager'.[13]

Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls edit

See also: Courtesy titles in the United Kingdom

Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls use their father's most senior subsidiary title as courtesy titles: note the absence of "The" before the title.[a] If applicable, eldest sons of courtesy marquesses or courtesy earls also use a subsidiary title from their (great) grandfather, which is lower ranking than the one used by their father. Eldest daughters do not have courtesy titles; all courtesy peeresses are wives of courtesy peers.[b]

Position On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter Verbal communication Ref.
Courtesy Marquess Marquess of London

Marquess of Blandford
(eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough)

Marquess of Smith

Marquess of Graham
(eldest son of the Duke of Montrose)

My Lord or
Dear Lord London

(Wife: Madam or
Dear Lady London)

My Lord or
Lord London

(Wife: My Lady or
Lady London)

[12]
Courtesy Earl Earl of London

e.g. Earl of Arundel
(eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk)

Earl Smith

e.g. Earl Jermyn
(eldest son of the Marquess of Bristol)

Courtesy Viscount Viscount of London

e.g. Viscount Castlereagh
(eldest son of the Marquess of Londonderry)

Viscount London

e.g. Viscount Castlereagh
(eldest son of the Marquess of Londonderry)

Viscount Smith

e.g. Viscount Loftus
(eldest son of the the Marquess of Ely)

Viscount Smith of London

e.g. Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden
(eldest son of the Earl of Stockton)

Courtesy Baron
Courtesy Lord of Parliament 		Lord London

e.g. Lord Brabourne
(eldest son of the Earl Mountbatten of Burma)

Lord Smith

e.g. Lord Maltravers
(eldest son of the eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk)

Lord Smith of London

e.g. Baron Howard of Effingham
(eldest son of the Earl of Effingham)

Notes:

  1. ^ Some sources do not recommend the use of the definite article before certain courtesy titles (particularly those who have prospects of promotion within the family's titles), but it is not used by official Court publications such as the Court Circular.[15]
  2. ^ If the definite article is not used before courtesy peerages and The Hon Elizabeth Smith marries Sir William Brown, she becomes The Hon Lady Brown, but if she marries the higher-ranked Lord Brown, a courtesy Baron, she becomes only Lady Brown. If this Sir William Brown's father is created Earl of London and Baron Brown, as a result of this ennoblement his wife's style will actually change, from "The Hon Lady Brown" to "Lady Brown". It is important to note that while the style may appear diminished, the precedence taken increases from that of a wife of a knight to that of a wife of an earl's eldest son.

Heirs of Scottish peers edit

Heirs-apparent and heirs-presumptive of Scottish peers use the titles "Master" and "Mistress"; these are substantive, not courtesy titles. If, however, the individual is the eldest son of a Duke, Marquess or Earl, then he uses the appropriate courtesy title, as noted above.

Position On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter Oral address Ref.
Scottish peer's heir (apparent or presumptive) The Master of Edinburgh

e.g. The Master of Falklan
(Heir apparent to the Viscount Falkland)

The Mistress of Edinburgh

e.g. The Mistress of Mar
(Heir presumptive to the Countess of Mar)

Sir
Dear Mr Smith
Dear Master of Edinburgh

Madam
Dear Mistress of Edinburgh

Sir
Master

Madam
Mistress

Sons of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons edit

Position[a] On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter Oral address Ref.
Duke's younger son

(Courtesy) Marquess's younger son

The Lord John Smith

e.g. The Lord Lord Thomas Fitzalan-Howard
(son of the Duke of Norfolk)

(Wife: The Lady John Smith)

My Lord
Dear Lord John (Smith)

(Wife: Madam
Dear Lady John)

My Lord
Lord John

(Wife: My Lady
Lady John)

[12]
(Courtesy) Earl's younger son

(Courtesy) Viscount's son

(Courtesy) Baron's son

(Courtesy) Lord of Parliament's son

The Hon John Smith

e.g. The Hon Ralph Foljambe
(son of the Earl of Liverpool)

(Wife: The Hon Mrs John Smith)

Sir
Dear Mr Smith

(Wife: Madam
Dear Mrs Smith)

Sir
Mr Smith

(Wife: Madam
Mrs Smith)

Notes:

  1. ^ The forms also apply to the sons of the given rank in female.

Daughters of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons edit

If a daughter of a peer or courtesy peer marries another peer or courtesy peer, she takes her husband's rank. If she marries anyone else, she keeps her rank and title, using her husband's surname instead of her maiden name.

Position[a] On envelope or invitation Salutation in letter Oral address Ref.
Duke's daughter

(Courtesy) Marquess's daughter

(Courtesy) Earl's daughter

If unmarried:

The Lady Mary Smith

e.g. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
(daughter of the Earl of Wessex)

If married:

The Lady Mary Brown (husband's surname)

e.g. The Lady Charlotte Santo Domingo (née Wellesley)
(daughter of the Duke of Wellington,
married to Alejandro Santo Domingo)

Madam
Dear Lady Mary 		My Lady
Lady Mary
(Courtesy) Viscount's daughter

(Courtesy) Baron's daughter

(Courtesy) Lord of parliament's daughter

The Hon Mary Smith (if unmarried)

e.g. The Hon Carol Thatcher
(daughter of the Baroness Thatcher)

The Hon Mrs Brown (husband's surname, if married)

e.g. The Hon Mrs Hubbard (née Julia Callaghan)
(daughter of The Lord Callaghan of Cardiff,
marrier Ian Hamilton Hubbard)

Madam
Dear Miss Smith

Madam
Dear Mrs Brown

Madam
Miss Smith

Madam
Mrs Brown

Notes:

  1. ^ The forms also apply to the daughters of the given rank in female.

Gentry and minor nobility[16] edit

Baronetage edit

Knights and Baronets are distinguished by the use of "Bt" (or, archaically, "Bart") after the latter's names (and by the use of the appropriate post-nominal letters if the former are members of an Order of Chivalry).

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Baronet Sir John Smith, Bt (or Bart) Sir or
Dear Sir John (Smith)		 Sir or
Sir John
Baronetess in her own right Dame Mary Smith, Btss Madam or
Dear Dame Mary (Smith)		 Madam or
Dame Mary
Baronet's wife Lady Brown Madam or
Dear Lady Smith		 My Lady or
Lady Smith
Baronet's divorced wife Mary, Lady Brown
Baronet's widow Mary, Lady Brown
Dowager Lady Brown, or
Lady Brown (if the heir incumbent is unmarried)

Scottish barons (nobility title) edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Baron (The Much Hon) John Smith, or

(The Much Hon) John Smith, Baron of Edinburgh or
(The Much Hon) The Baron of Edinburgh[17]

Sir or
Dear Edinburgh or
Dear Baron		 Edinburgh or
Baron
Baroness or
Baron's wife		 As baron, substituting "Madam" for first name and
substituting "Baroness" for "Baron", or
Lady Edinburgh[18]		 Madam or
Dear Baroness or
Dear Lady Edinburgh		 Madam or
Baroness or
Lady Edinburgh

Knightage edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Knight (of any order) Sir John Smith Sir or
Dear Sir John (Smith)		 Sir or
Sir John
Lady (of the Order of the Garter or the Thistle) Lady Mary Brown Madam or
Dear Lady Mary (Smith)		 My Lady or
Lady Mary
Dame (of an order other than the Garter or the Thistle) Dame Mary Brown Madam or
Dear Dame Mary (Smith)		 Madam or
Dame Mary
Knight's wife Lady Smith Madam or
Dear Lady Smith		 My Lady or
Lady Smith

Seigneurs of Fiefs edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Feudal Fief Seigneur The Much Hon John Smith of Fief de Sausmarez
or The Much Hon John Smith,
Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez or
The Much Hon Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez [17]		 Sir or
Dear Sausmarez or
Dear Sieur		 Sausmarez or
Seigneur or Abbreviated Sieur (Sgr.)
Female Feudal Dame of a Fief or
Feudal Seigneur's wife		 As feudal Seigneur,
substituting "Madam"
for first name and
substituting "Dame" for "Seigneur", or
Dame Sausmarez		 Madam or
Dear Dame or Dear Dame of Sausmarez		 Madam or
Sausmarez or
Dame Sausmarez

Chiefs, chieftains and lairds edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Chief, chieftain or laird

(Only lairds recognised in a
territorial designation by
the Lord Lyon)		 John Smith of Smith or
John Smith of Edinburgh
or
John Smith of that Ilk or
The Smith of Smith or
The Smith of Edinburgh or
The Smith[a]
(only the 2nd form of
address above applies
to lairds)		 Sir or
Dear Edinburgh (if placename in title) or
Dear Smith (otherwise)		 Edinburgh (if placename in title) or
Smith (otherwise)
Female Chief, chieftain or laird or
Chief, chieftain or laird's wife		 Chief, chieftain or laird's wife, substituting
"Madam" or "Mrs" for first
name or "The"
or Lady Edinburgh[19][20][21]		 Madam or
as on envelope		 Madam or
as on envelope
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent John Smith of Edinburgh, yr or
John Smith, yr of Edinburgh or
John Smith of Edinburgh
(last only if different first name to father)		 Sir or
Dear Younger of Edinburgh or
Dear Mr Smith of Edinburgh		 Sir or
Young Edinburgh or
The Younger of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent's wife Mrs Smith of Edinburgh, yr or
Mrs Smith, yr of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Dear Mrs Smith of Edinburgh the Younger		 Madam or
Mrs Smith of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s eldest daughter (if none senior) Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Jane Smith, Maid of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Dear Maid of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Maid of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s younger daughter Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh Madam or
Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Miss Smith of Edinburgh

Clergy edit

Church of England edit

Similar styles are also applied to clergy of equivalent status in other religious organisations. The words clergy and cleric/clerk are derived from the proper term for bishops, priests and deacons still used in legal documents: Clerk in Holy Orders (e.g. "Vivienne Frances Faull, Clerk in Holy Orders").

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Archbishop The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury/York Dear Archbishop Your Grace or
Archbishop
Diocesan bishop in Privy Council The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Bishop of London Dear Bishop My Lord or
Bishop
Bishop, diocesan or suffragan The Rt Revd The Lord Bishop of Durham Dear Bishop My Lord or
Bishop
Dean The Very Revd The Dean of York Dear Mr/Madam Dean Dean or
Mr/Madam Dean
Archdeacon The Ven The Archdeacon of London Dear Archdeacon Archdeacon
Prebendary The Revd Prebendary Smith Dear Prebendary Smith Prebend
Canon The Revd Canon John Smith Dear Canon Canon
Priest The Revd John Smith Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or
Vicar/Rector/Prebendary/Curate/Chaplain etc. as applicable
Deacon The Revd Deacon John Smith or
The Revd John Smith
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or
Dear Deacon Smith		 Deacon Smith or Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith

Church of Scotland edit

The Church of Scotland, as a Presbyterian church, recognizes state-awarded titles only as courtesy. In court (assembly, presbytery and session) a person may only be addressed as Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Prof, etc. depending on academic achievement. Thus ministers are correctly addressed as, for example, Mr Smith or Mrs Smith unless they have a higher degree or academic appointment e.g. Dr Smith or Prof. Smith. It is 'infra dig' to use the style 'Rev' and even the use of 'the Rev Mr' requires sensitivity to official style.

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly His Grace The Lord High Commissioner Your Grace Your Grace or Sir/Ma'am
Clergy The Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.
Current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Right Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.
Former Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Very Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.

Judiciary edit

United Kingdom edit

See also: Judge § United Kingdom
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In court
Male Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage The Right Honourable The Lord Smith Lord Smith Lord Smith My Lord[22]
Male Justice of the Supreme Court The Right Honourable Lord Smith Lord Smith Lord Smith My Lord[22]
Female Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage The Right Honourable The Lady Smith Lady Smith Lady Smith My Lady[22]
Female Justice of the Supreme Court The Right Honourable Lady Smith Lady Smith Lady Smith My Lady[22]

England and Wales edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In court
Lord Chief Justice The Rt Hon the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Chief Justice Lord Chief Justice My Lord[23]
Male Lord Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Lord Justice (John) Smith Lord Justice Lord Justice My Lord
Retired male Lord Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Sir John Smith Judge or Sir John Sir John My Lord
Female Lord Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Lady Justice (Mary) Smith, DBE Lady Justice Lady Justice My Lady
Retired female Lord Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Dame Mary Smith, DBE Judge or Dame Mary Dame Mary My Lady
Male High Court judge The Hon. Mr Justice (John) Smith Judge Judge My Lord
Retired male High Court judge Sir John Smith Judge or Sir John Sir John My Lord
Female High Court judge The Hon. Mrs Justice (Mary) Smith, DBE Judge Judge My Lady
Retired female High Court judge Dame Mary Smith, DBE Judge or Dame Mary Dame Mary My Lady
High Court Master Master (John) Smith (QC should be added if applicable) Master Master[b] Master[b]
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Insolvency and Companies Court Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) Judge Judge Judge
Circuit judge[c] His Honour Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) Judge Judge Your Honour
Recorder Mr (or Mrs) Recorder Smith (QC, if applicable) Judge Judge Your Honour
District judge District Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) Judge Sir or Madam Sir or Madam
Justice of the Peace/Magistrate Mr John Smith, JP Mr Smith Mr Smith or (if "Chair/Lead") Sir or Madam[24][25] Sir or Madam (if 'Chair/Lead') or Your Worship[26][27][28]
Chancellor of a Diocese (Ecclesiastical) The Worshipful Mr (or Mrs) Smith (QC, if applicable) Chancellor Chancellor Your Worship

A judge's first name only forms part of their judicial style if, at the time of their appointment, there is a senior judge with the same or a similar surname. Thus, if there is a "Mr Justice Smith", subsequent judges will be "Mr Justice John Smith", "Mrs Justice Mary Smith", etc. High Court Judges and above who are Queen's Counsel do not use the post-nominal letters following appointment or after retirement.

A member of the Bar (but not a solicitor) addresses a circuit judge or higher, out of court, as "Judge".

Scotland edit

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In court
Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland Lord President/Lord Justice General Lord President/Lord Justice General My Lord/Lady
Lord Justice Clerk The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord Justice Clerk Lord Justice Clerk Lord Justice Clerk My Lord/Lady
Senator of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court The Hon./Rt Hon. (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord/Lady Smith Lord/Lady Smith My Lord/Lady
Sheriff principal Sheriff Principal Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Principal Smith Sheriff Principal Smith My Lord/Lady
Sheriff Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Smith Sheriff Smith My Lord/Lady
Summary sheriff Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Smith Sheriff Smith My Lord/Lady
Justice of the Peace Mr John/Mrs Mary Smith Mr/Mrs Smith Mr/Mrs Smith Your Honour[29]

Academics edit

The forms of address used for academics can, in most cases, be either formal or social.[30][31]

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In conversation
Chancellor (formal) The Chancellor of [university name] Dear Chancellor Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name and title The Chancellor or by name
Chancellor (social) [Name].[d] Chancellor of [university name] By name By name or Chancellor The Chancellor or by name
Vice-Chancellor (formal) The Vice-Chancellor of [university name][e] Dear Sir/Madam/Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name The Vice-Chancellor or by name
Vice-Chancellor (social) [Name],[f] Vice-Chancellor of [university name] By name or Dear Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name The Vice-Chancellor or by name
Professor (formal) Professor Jane Smith[g] Dear Sir/Madam Professor Smith Professor Smith
Professor (social) Professor Jane Smith Dear Professor Smith Professor Smith Professor Smith
Doctor (formal)[h] Dr Jane Smith or The Revd John Smith DD or Susan Brown MD or Tom Brown PhD, etc.[i] Dear Sir/Madam Dr Smith Dr Smith
Doctor (social)[h] Dr Jane Smith Dear Dr Smith Dr Smith Dr Smith

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The exact form of a Scottish chief's style varies from family to family, and is generally based on tradition rather than formal rules.
  2. ^ a b "Master" is used as the form of address whether the High Court Master is male or female.
  3. ^ Some circuit judges – for example, the Recorder of Liverpool or circuit judges sitting in the Central Criminal Court – are addressed in court as "My Lord" or "My Lady".
  4. ^ This is the full name and title as it would be according to the rules elsewhere on this page, e.g. The Viscount London, Sir John Smith, KBE, Professor Jane Doe, Dr Tom Brown.
  5. ^ Check official title for the university concerned: The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor (Oxford) The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor (Cambridge), The Vice-Chancellor and Warden (Durham), The President and Provost (UCL), etc.
  6. ^ Title
  7. ^ If a professor holds an ecclesiastical rank this, strictly speaking, supersedes the academic rank. However, the academic style may still be used within academia and the two can be combined, e.g. as The Reverend Professor Jane Smith. If a professor holds a peerage or a knighthood, this title can be combined, e.g. Professor Lord Smith, Professor Sir John Smith, Professor Dame Jane Smith.
  8. ^ a b The forms off address for a doctor applies to "the recipient of a doctorate conferred by a university or other body, such as the Council for National Academic Awards", not just those working in academia. The exception is surgeons, who are never addressed as Doctor even if they hold a doctorate.
  9. ^ Doctorates in divinity and medicine are always given as letters after the name, and this form may optionally be used for doctorates in other faculties. If "Dr" is used before the name, degrees are not given after it.

References edit

  1. ^ "Baron and Baroness". Debrett's. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  2. ^ Barker, L. Mary, ed. (1957–58). Pears Cyclopedia (66th ed.). Isleworth, Middlesex: A. & F. Pears Limited. pp. 649–650. Modes of Address to Persons of Rank
  3. ^ "Greeting a Member of The Royal Family". Royal.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Whitehall, 11th December, 1917". The London Gazette. No. 30428. 14 December 1917. p. 13086. The KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the 30th ultimo, to define the styles and titles to be borne henceforth by members of the Royal Family. It is declared by the Letters Patent that the children of any Sovereign of the United Kingdom and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour; that save as aforesaid the titles of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness, and the titular dignity of Prince and Princess shall cease except those titles already granted and remaining unrevoked; and that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes..
  5. ^ "Title of HRH The Prince Edward". 19 June 1999. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. The Queen has also decided, with the agreement of The Prince Edward and Miss Rhys-Jones, that any children they might have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness, but would have courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an Earl.
  6. ^ "Crown Office". The London Gazette. No. 60384. 8 January 2013. p. 213. The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.
  7. ^ "The Style of Prince outside the Royal Family". www.heraldica.org. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  8. ^ "No. 43264". The London Gazette. 6 March 1964. p. 2169.
  9. ^ "No. 62855". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 13 December 2019. p. 214.
  10. ^ a b c Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Correct Use (22 ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. 2007.
  11. ^ Buss, Robert William, ed. (1850). The Almanack of the Fine Arts (1 ed.). London: George Rowney and Company. p. 165.
  12. ^ a b c d Titles and Forms of Address (3 ed.). A. & C. Black Ltd. 1932.
  13. ^ "Widow of a Duke". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager'. If in doubt, use of the forename is recommended.
  14. ^ Montague-Smith, Patrick (1992). Debrett's Correct Form (rev. ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. Officially the widow of a peer is known as the Dowager Countess (or whatever) of X, unless there is already a dowager peeress of the family still living. In the latter event, the widow of the senior peer of the family retains the title of Dowager for life, and the widow of the junior peer in that family is known by her Christian name, e.g., Mary, Countess of X, until she becomes the senior widow. [...] When the present peer is unmarried, by custom the widow of the late peer continues to call herself as she did when her husband was living, i.e., without the prefix of (a) dowager, or (b) her Christian name. Should the present peer marry, it is usual for the widowed peeress to announce the style by which she wishes to be know in future.
  15. ^ "Buckingham Palace". 1 November 2000. The Duke of Norfolk KG (Earl Marshal) was received by The Queen this morning when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain. Earl of Arundel and Surrey was received by The Queen upon his appointment as Deputy Earl Marshal.
  16. ^ Ruling of the Court of the Lord Lyon (26/2/1948, Vol. IV, page 26): 'With regard to the words 'untitled nobility' employed in certain recent birthbrieves in relation to the (Minor) Baronage of Scotland, Finds and Declares that the (Minor) Barons of Scotland are, and have been both in this nobiliary Court and in the Court of Session recognised as a ‘titled nobility’ and that the estait of the Baronage (i.e. Barones Minores) are of the ancient Feudal Nobility of Scotland’. This title is not, however, in and of itself a peerage title, and nobility, or the noblesse, in Scotland incorporates the concept of gentry in England.
  17. ^ a b "Debrett's Forms of Address for Scottish feudal barons". Archived from the original on 2013-07-25.
  18. ^ "The Convention of the Baronage of Scotland".
  19. ^ Frank Adams (1952) The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands
  20. ^ Titles and Forms of Address. Bloomsbury Publishing. 31 January 2007. ISBN 9781408148129. Retrieved 26 January 2016. The widow of a chief or laird continues to use the territorial style and the prefix Dowager may be used in the same circumstances ... In rural Scotland (laird's) wives are often styled Lady, though not legally except in the case of the wives of chiefs.
  21. ^ Adam, Frank (1970). The Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands. Genealogical Publishing Com, 1970 - Page 410. ISBN 9780806304489. Retrieved 26 January 2016. In personal letters...(The) old pre-fix of a laird or chief was "The Much Honoured"...where husband and wife are referred to, the correct styles are "Glenfalloch and the Lady Glenfalloch"
  22. ^ a b c d "The Supreme Court". Archived from the original on 2012-06-23.
  23. ^ "Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales". Archived from the original on 2013-01-06.
  24. ^ "The criminal courts". © Copyright 2010-2020 Full Fact. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020. Professional magistrates are now called District Judge (Magistrates' Court), or DJ for short (they used to be called Stipendiary Magistrates, which is a term you will still hear being used)......In court, a DJ (Magistrate) will be called 'sir' or 'madam' as the case may be. If there is a lay bench, then you normally pretend you are speaking to the 'chair' and address them as 'sir' or 'madam'. Some people will address the whole panel as 'your worships', although this is becoming old-fashioned.
  25. ^ Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. "Bench Chairmen". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  26. ^ "The criminal courts". © Copyright 2010-2020 Full Fact. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020. Professional magistrates are now called District Judge (Magistrates' Court), or DJ for short (they used to be called Stipendiary Magistrates, which is a term you will still hear being used)......In court, a DJ (Magistrate) will be called 'sir' or 'madam' as the case may be. If there is a lay bench, then you normally pretend you are speaking to the 'chair' and address them as 'sir' or 'madam'. Some people will address the whole panel as 'your worships', although this is becoming old-fashioned.
  27. ^ "Justice of the Peace". Archived from the original on 2013-11-01.
  28. ^ Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. "Bench Chairmen". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  29. ^ "Justices of the Peace".
  30. ^ "Academics". A to Z. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Academics". Forms of Address. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.

External links edit


Category:Titles in the United Kingdom Category:British culture Category:United Kingdom-related lists United Kingdom United Kingdom

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