The holder of this office is appointed by the Crown, and like the Lord Lyon King of Arms receives an annual salary.

Lyon Clerk's duties include heraldic research, the preparation of papers, lectures and conducting and assisting with the preliminary business of application for a grant or matriculation of armorial bearings.

The Lyon Court is a part of the Scottish judiciary and deals with the subject of heraldry and genealogy in Scotland.

[8] As Keeper of the Records, the Lyon Clerk is responsible for the maintenance of the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.

The Lyon Clerk must ensure that members of the public have access to the register by facilitating searches and studies of the records.