MERSEYSIDE News from and about members Important to continue a tradition Photo: Ray Farley Photo: AT THE time of writing, the effects In 2018 a working group was set up in Above: (L-R) Mark Adlestone OBE DL High of the coronavirus nationally are Merseyside in order to address the question of Sheriff of Greater Manchester, David Steer QC DL High Sheriff of Merseyside, the Hon Ralph intensifying and there are many falling attendances. The group is chaired by Assheton TD DL High Sheriff of Lancashire, uncertainties as to the future. It is the current High Sheriff and other members – Mark Mitchell DL High Sheriff of Cheshire and David Cam DL, Under Sheriff of the County clear that the impact upon the year totalling thirteen in all – include former High Palatine of Lancaster of the incoming High Sheriffs will Sheriffs, the High Sheriff in nomination, the be considerable. It is against that Under Sheriff, the Chancellor of the Diocese, background that my reflections the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, the the emergency services, the armed forces, regarding the past twelve months and Clerk to the Merseyside Lieutenancy and two the probation service, the consulates, my contribution to this publication Deputy Lieutenants. the court staff, voluntary organisations are somewhat tempered per chance Each member of the group is charged and the uniformed youth organisations. that any hint of jubilation may appear with the responsibility of sending out General invitations are circulated insensitive. Accordingly I shall confine invitations in the name of the current throughout the legal profession and, of myself to a short factual account of one High Sheriff to specific individuals and/ course, the general public. particular aspect of my year. or groups. These include the Lord- At the Judges’ Service held last On 23 September 2019 the Chairman Lieutenant of Merseyside, the High October at Liverpool Cathedral the of the High Sheriffs’ Association wrote Sheriffs of neighbouring counties, past net result was a procession of some to all High Sheriffs enquiring as to the High Sheriffs, Deputy Lieutenants, those ninety individuals and a congregation ways in which the Judges’ Services are (both current and retired) who sit in approaching a thousand. conducted in the various counties and judgement of all ranks from Magistrates I respectfully agree with the pointing out that in some counties they and Tribunal Judges to Court of Appeal observation made by the Chairman of are now poorly attended. Judges, the Queen’s Remembrancer, the the High Sheriffs’ Association in his In Merseyside, prior to 2018, the Leader of the Northern Circuit of the aforementioned letter that ‘It is important attendances at the Judges’ Service had Bar, the President of the Liverpool Law that the Shrievalty continue this tradition’. declined considerably. I am pleased to be Society, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and We, here in Merseyside, believe that able to say, however, that this trend has other civic dignitaries, the Chief Constable we have created a template to ensure the now been reversed and the service here of Merseyside, the Merseyside Police success of our annual Judges’ Service for has been completely reinvigorated. The and Crime Commissioner and the Vice many years to come. means by which this has been achieved Chancellors of the three local universities. may be of interest to others who wish to Others receiving invitations include David Steer QC DL achieve a similar outcome. representatives of all religious groups, High Sheriff of Merseyside 2019-20 26 High Sheriff | Summer 2020.