High Court of Chivalry

His Majesty's High Court of Chivalry
Courtroom in October 2017
JurisdictionEngland and Wales
Composition methodAppointed by Earl Marshal
Appeals toJudicial Committee of the Privy Council
Judge term lengthOne hereditary, otherwise depends on the appointment
Earl Marshal
CurrentlyDuke of Norfolk
Since1672 (current office granted by Letters Patent)

His Majesty's High Court of Chivalry, also known as the Court of Chivalry, is a court in the English and Welsh legal system which has jurisdiction over matters of heraldry. The court has been in existence since the fourteenth century; however, it rarely sits. The sole judge is now the holder of the hereditary office of Earl Marshal of England, the Duke of Norfolk. While the Earl Marshal may sit as a judge of the court himself, if he is not a professional lawyer he would typically appoint a professional lawyer as his lieutenant or surrogate to hear and decide a case brought to the court — in recent times, the Lord Chief Justice has been so appointed.

In Scotland, these types of cases are heard in the similar but separate Court of the Lord Lyon, which is a standing court with its own judge, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and its own procurator fiscal (public prosecutor). It forms part of the Scottish legal system.

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