High Sheriff of Devon

The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his/her bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, they hold his office over the duration of a year. They have judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court Writs. The office historically was "Sheriff of Devon", changed in 1974 to "High Sheriff of Devon".

The office of Sheriff is the oldest under the crown. It is over 1000 years old, with its establishment before the Norman Conquest. It remained first in precedence in the counties, until the reign of Edward VII, when an Order in Council in 1908 gave the Lord-Lieutenant the prime office under the Crown as the Sovereign's personal representative. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 the office previously known as Sheriff was retitled High Sheriff. The High Sheriff remains the Sovereign's representative in the County for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

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