Oath of Allegiance (United Kingdom) - Judges and Magistrates

Judges and Magistrates

Judges and magistrates on being sworn in, are required by various statutes to take two oaths: the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath, (collectively; the judicial oath). Judges of Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religions can omit the words "I swear by Almighty God" and replace it with an acceptable alternative.

Judges first Oath of Allegiance:

I... do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Judges second Judicial Oath:

I... do swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second in the office of..., and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God.

Magistrates first Oath of Allegiance:

I... swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, in the office of Justice of the Peace and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the Realm without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
  • On 1 November 2010, in an official ceremony at Swansea's magistrates’ court in Wales, ten trainee magistrates were the first magistrates in the United Kingdom, to swear their oath of allegiance to the Queen – "and her heirs". These new magistrates, being trained by senior legal adviser; Jim Hehir, the Justices Clerk for West Glamorgan, are expected to be sitting in courts in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot from January 2011 onwards.

Magistrates second Judicial Oath:

I... do swear that I will well and faithfully serve in the office of... and that I will do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill-will according to the laws and usages of this realm.

Judicial oaths are enshrined in a number of statutes:

  • The Lord Chief Justice, Master of the Rolls, President of the Queen's Bench Division, President of the Family Division and the Chancellor of the High Court - s.10 Supreme Court Act 1981
  • Puisne Judges of the High Court - s.10(4) Supreme Court Act 1981
  • Circuit Judges and Recorders - s.22 Courts Act 1971
  • Recorder of London - Promissory Oaths Act 1868 Schedule Pt II
  • District Judges - s.76(1)(a) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990
  • Justices of the Peace - Promissory Oaths Act 1868 Schedule Pt II

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