HIGH SHERIFF OF HAMPSHIRE

An independent, non-political, royally appointed role that lasts one year.

The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative in the county for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order. A voluntary and unpaid royal appointment that lasts for one year, its origins date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible for maintaining law and order within the shire, or county.

While historically the role also involved collecting taxes due to the Crown, High Sheriffs today typically support crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector, as well as the Lord Lieutenant on royal visits and other occasions when appropriate.