Nomination of future high sheriffs of warwickshire

Under the Sheriffs Act of 1887 it is the duty of an incumbent High Sheriff to appoint a successor to serve in their county in five years’ time.  Each year a panel (called a Nomination Panel) meets to assist the High Sheriff in office to identify suitably experienced and public spirited individuals with an established Civic Footprint who may be prepared to take on the role.  

In addition to the current, immediate past and next in line High Sheriffs, the Nomination Panel includes a Deputy Lieutenant and representatives of the wider community. Panel members may be expected to serve for 3 years to provide continuity and the Under Sheriff acts as Secretary to the Nomination Panel.

Candidates must own or have a beneficial interest in land or property in Warwickshire, be of good character and be shown to have given service to the community or a clear willingness to serve the community within Warwickshire. Attention will be given to the need to ensure broad geographical representation across the county and to encourage diversity in the range of persons appointed. It is important to note that there is no bar to any suitable person becoming a High Sheriff, whether it be from social standing, sex, colour, or creed.

All requirements for eligibility are to be found in the High Sheriffs’ Association paper available HERE. Please note that nomination and appointment of High Sheriffs excludes Peers of Parliament and Members of the House of Commons, full-time members of the Judiciary including Tribunal Judges, and Officers of the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force on full pay. These provisions reflect the essential requirement that the Office of High Sheriff is a non-political appointment. In addition, Justices of the Peace should not serve in that capacity during their year of office as High Sheriff.

Criteria for Nominations In considering possible candidates for the office of High Sheriff the following criteria apply:

• Candidates must principally reside in, or at least have a beneficial interest in property in the County.
• Candidates should have proven good people skills, have the ability to listen, to communicate, to relate to others on a personal or professional level and to convene and connect. To have empathy for others and a willingness to work together toward the common good.
• Candidates must be of good character and abide by the Nolan Principles in upholding and enhancing the ancient Office of High Sheriff.
• Candidates must have either demonstrated service to the Community or a clear willingness to serve the Community;
• Candidates must confirm, before appointment, that they have the time and commitment to fulfil the role
• Whilst Candidates must be clear that every High Sheriff will incur expenditure during his/her year in office and all costs come from their own pocket, the level of expenditure remains firmly in the control of each High Sheriff as it is they who decide what they do during their year in office. The ability to meet such costs is not a bar to nomination. The principal duties of High Sheriffs include:
• Lending support to the principal organs of the Constitution within the County, namely the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison services and other law enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities and all recognised church and faith groups;
• Ensuring the welfare of visiting High Court Judges, attending on them at Court and offering them hospitality;
• Taking an active part in supporting and promoting the voluntary sector within the County in particular those connected with crime prevention
• Supporting the Police Cadets in particular and uniformed youth organisations in general.
• Supporting the Lord-Lieutenant, when invited to do so, on the occasion of Royal visits and on other occasions as appropriate.
• Upholding and enhancing the ancient Office of High Sheriff and making a meaningful contribution to the County during the year of Office.

The Nomination Panel will also consider:

• The need to encourage diversity, relative to the County, in the range of persons appointed;
• The need to ensure broad geographical representation of all parts of the County.

​While it is the case that a High Sheriff will have to meet the cost of his or her year of office (there are no public funds or allowances), the cost need not be excessive.  The High Sheriffs’ Association has produced guidance on affordability for High Sheriffs containing some practical tips on reducing costs which can be seen HERE.

The Secretary maintains a confidential list of individuals who have previously been nominated, together with any new nominees, and arranges a meeting of the Panel to discuss these. Once the Panel has agreed upon a name, it will be put to the Lord-Lieutenant for approval before that person is approached to establish their willingness to be nominated as a future High Sheriff.  

If you wish to put someone forward as a candidate for the Nomination Panel’s consideration, please complete the form below.

Please send your completed form to the Under Sheriff by email to john.rouse@lodders.co.uk You may be contacted by the Under Sheriff for further information about the candidate.

The Nomination Panel meets at least twice each year and the High Sheriff submits a nomination to the Privy Council by the following January, once the consent of the chosen candidate and approval of the Lord-Lieutenant have been obtained.  Please be aware that the Nomination Panel’s deliberations and decision are confidential.  Any nominated candidate may be held over for consideration in the future.  As a general rule, a nomination is not formalised or made public until announced in the High Court of Justice nearly two years later.

Candidate for nomination as a future

High Sheriff of Warwickshire

PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED ELIGIBILITY PAPER BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM

Candidate’s Name:      

Address:            

Occupation:       

If space is insufficient please continue overleaf

This candidate is put forward by:

Name:       

Address:   

Email address:

Telephone number:

Date:

ONCE COMPLETED PLEASE SEND THIS FORM TO THE UNDER SHERIFF: by email to the Under Sheriff,  john.rouse@lodders.co.uk.   You may be contacted by the Under Sheriff for further information about the candidate.

For your information, the Nomination Panel meets during the last 6 months of each year and the High Sheriff submits a nomination to the Privy Council by the following January, once the consent of the chosen candidate and approval of the Lord Lieutenant have been obtained.  Please be aware that the Nomination Panel’s deliberations and decision are confidential.  Any nominated candidate may be held over for consideration in the future.  As a general rule, a nomination is not formalised or made public until announced in the High Court of Justice nearly two years later.