Elected body, part of the City of London Corporation
City Court of Aldermen |
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![]() Aldermen (robed in scarlet) at Guildhall |
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| Type | |
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Term limits | None |
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| Founded | Time immemorial |
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| Preceded by | Court of Husting |
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| Seats | 25 Aldermen |
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| Guildhall of London |
The Court of Aldermen forms part of the senior governance of the City of London Corporation. It comprises twenty-five Aldermen of the City of London, presided over by the Lord Mayor (becoming senior Alderman during his or her year of office). The Court was originally responsible for the entire administration of the City, but most of its responsibilities were subsumed by the Court of Common Council in the fourteenth century. The Court of Aldermen meets seven times a year in the Aldermen's Court Room at Guildhall.[1] The few remaining duties of the Court include approving people for Freedom of the City, approving the formation of new livery companies,[2] and appointing the Recorder of London.
History
It is probable that no definite account of the origin of the office of Alderman, or of the body known as the Court of Aldermen can ever be written for, and is likely that the office of the Aldermen of the City of London came into existence by a process of natural growth and development created by the necessities of the times.[3] The first possible mention of the court comes from 1200, 'fiveand-twenty of the more discreet men of the City' were 'sworn to take counsel on behalf of the City together with the Mayor',[4] although this could possibly be an early form of the London Common Council, as in 1200 there were only 24 wards.[5]
Term of office
Although there is no compulsion by law to do so,[6][7] Aldermen usually submit themselves for re-election every six years and by custom retire at the age of 70.
In 2020, David Graves declined to stand for re-election after six years as Alderman for Cripplegate, stating "given the current CV-19 concerns and limitations, I decided that to trigger a 42 ... day electoral process now would be inappropriate and unsuitable for the good conduct of a fair election". He again deferred standing for re-election in 2021 for the same reason, triggering calls for the reform of the law relating to this election.[8]
List of current aldermen
See also
References
