Sheriff of London

Two Sheriffs are elected annually for the City of London by the Liverymen of the City Livery Companies Sheriffs have only nominal duties nowadays, but previously had large judicial responsibilities. They have attended the Justices at the Central Criminal Court Old Bailey since its original role as the Court for the City and Middlesex. The Sheriffs actually are resident during their year of office in the court house complex, so that one of them can always be attendant on the judges. In Court No 1 the principal chairs on the bench are reserved for their and the Lord Mayor's use, with the Sword of the City hanging behind the bench. It is a requirement for a Lord Mayor of the City of London to previously have served as Sheriff.

By a "custom of immemorial usage in the City", they are elected at the Midsummer Common Hall by the Liverymen by acclamation unless a ballot is demanded from the floor which takes place within 14 days. The returning officers at the Common Hall are the Recorder of London (senior Judge of the 'Old Bailey') and the serving Sheriffs. The current (2011-12) Sheriffs are Alderman Alan Yarrow and Wendy Mead CC.

The Sheriffs' jurisdiction covers only the square mile of the City of London. The High Sheriff of Greater London covers areas of London outside of the City, which today incorporates parts of several old counties, most notably Middlesex.

More information on the Wikipedia page.