Common Serjeant of London

The Common Serjeant of London (full title The Serjeant-at-Law in the Common Hall) is an ancient British legal office, first recorded in 1291, and is the second most senior permanent judge of the Central Criminal Court after the Recorder of London, acting as deputy to that office, and sitting as a judge in the trial of criminal offences.

He is also one of the High Officers of the City of London Corporation, and must undertake certain civic obligations alongside his judicial duties: each Midsummer he presides at the election of Sheriffs in the Guildhall, and each Michaelmas he plays a key role in the ceremonial election of the Lord Mayor.

[2] The Common Serjeant is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

The Common Serjeant of London attended on the Lord Mayor of London and the Court of Aldermen on court days, and acted with them in council.

He also attended the Court of Aldermen and Common Council, and had charge of the Orphans' Estates[3] Judge Richard Marks, KC, was appointed the 81st Common Serjeant on 3 March 2015.