Legal Definitions - high bailiff

A high bailiff is a court officer who is responsible for maintaining order during court proceedings. They attend court sessions, serve summonses, and execute orders, warrants, and writs. In England and Wales, they are also known as ushers, while in Scotland, they are called macers.

For example, during a trial, the high bailiff ensures that everyone in the courtroom follows the rules and behaves appropriately. They may also be responsible for announcing the judge's entrance and exit from the courtroom.

Historically, there were other types of bailiffs, such as the bailiff-errant, who was appointed by the sheriff to deliver writs and other processes within a county. There were also bailiffs of franchises, who executed writs and performed other duties in privileged districts outside the Crown's jurisdiction. Additionally, there were bailiffs of hundreds, who were appointed by the sheriff to collect fines, summon juries, attend court sessions, and execute writs and processes in the county district known as a hundred. Finally, there were bailiffs of manors, who were appointed to superintend the estates of the nobility.