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As can be seen from the list, my primary focus is on the main stakeholders in the Shrieval evolution judicialsystem in GreaterLondon.Ialso workinco-operation with the Lord- BEFORE1889, the SheriffsofLondon London was created out of what was LieutenantofGreaterLondon. had always been the City Sheriffs , and parts of My Declaration would normally because‘the City’was London. They and at that time. haveoccurred physicallyatthe Royal were alsothe Sheriffs of Middlesex. In Today,asHigh of Greater CourtsofJustice in front of the Lord that year the County of Londonwas London, Iamnominally responsible for Chief Justice, theQueen’s Remembrancer created andthe Sheriffs were separated all matters relating to the judiciary and and other senior High CourtJudges. into those representing the City and theRule of Law in the 32 boroughs but This year,for the first time ever due the equivalent Sheriff for the Countyof excluding the . Icover the to the COVID-19 lockdown, it took London,i.e.the partofLondon outside following main areas: place virtually with all of us dialling in the City.(Iamalso aCityofLondon •Royal Courts of Justice, including the from home! Since then, my planned Alderman and the last time someone Queen’sBench,Family and Chancery visits to courts and prisons,and so on in my position was also aSherifffor divisions of the High Court were allpostponedtothe autumn or the rest of London wasin1895, 125 •NineCrown Courts even the newyear.Ihavejust started years ago, so I’mparticularly humbled •Eight prisons making some of these visits, having to be appointed.) With the County of •Metropolitan previously been in shielding. Otherwise, London’s abolitionin1965, Greater •Charities supporting the justice system Ihavespoken virtually to almost all the resident at Courts and the Commissioner of the , Chief InspectorofPrisons and others upholding law and order. My virtualengagement initiativeis ongoing and will, Iintend, coverall parts of the judicial system over thecoming months. Hopefully,ifthings return to ‘normal’, Iwillalso be involved in more physical engagement, not least to thank all those in the legal system for their contributions during the pandemic and moregenerally.Isee my role as convening and facilitating between different participants of the justicesystem in and will pursue this as far as Ican, including closer ties between Greater London and the City in the judicialarea. Aspecific initiative Ihavebeen given by the High Sheriffs' Association, already started, is to co-ordinate communication between those High Sheriffs across and Wales who areresponsible for the major conurbations, primarily through sharingideas. Last, butmost certainly not least, Ihope to hold one or more Justice Awards. Huge thanks must go to my wife and my Under Sheriff,Lynn Cooper,for their supportand resilience.

Attending Isleworth Crown Court for apresentation to the Operations Manager,MsHarpreet Dale, Alderman JGarbutt JP for outstanding service provided by her and her team during the COVID-19 crisis High Sheriff of Greater London 2020-2021

24 High Sheriff | Winter 2020