The Court of Common Pleas

Court of Common Pleas (England)

The Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, was a common law court in the English legal system that covered "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which did not concern the king. Created in the late 12th to early 13th century after splitting from the Exchequer of Pleas, the Common...

, also known as the Common Bench or Common Place, was the second highest common law

Common law

Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...

 court in the English legal system until 1880, when it was dissolved. As such, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was one of the highest judicial officials in England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, behind only the Lord High Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of the King's (or Queen's) Bench. Initially the position of Chief Justice was not an appointment; of the justices serving in the court, one would become more respected than his peers, and was therefore considered the "chief" justice. The position was formalised in 1272 with the raising of Sir Gilbert of Preston

Gilbert of Preston

Sir Gilbert of Preston was a British justice. He was the son of Walter of Preston, who was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire between 1206 and 1208...

 to Chief Justice, and from then on it was considered a formally appointed role similar to the positions of Chief Justice of the King's Bench and Chief Baron of the Exchequer. In 1875 the court was reduced to a division of the High Court of Justice

High Court of Justice

The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...

; Alexander Cockburn

Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet

Sir Alexander James Edmund Cockburn, 12th Baronet Q.C. was a Scottish lawyer, politician and judge. A notorious womaniser and socialite, as Lord Chief Justice he heard some of the leading causes célèbres of the 19th century.-Life:Cockburn was born in Alţâna, in what is now Romania and was then...

 served as the first Chief Justice of England

Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England and Wales. Historically, he was the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, but that changed as a result of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005,...

. The court was dissolved as a body in 1880, when the functions and officials were made part of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. John Coleridge, previously Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, served as the first Chief Justice of the fully unified High Court.

Chief Justices of the Common Pleas

Name	Born/Died	Term as Chief Justice	Reason for termination
Simon of Pattishall Simon of Pattishall Simon of Pattishall was an English judge and civil servant who is considered the first Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. The first appearance of Pattishall in the records was in 1190, where he served as the escheator for Northamptonshire and also as a judge, serving in Westminster and as a...	d. 1217	1190–1214	Died
Martin of Pattishall Martin of Pattishall Martin of Pattishall was a British judge who took his name from the village of Pattishall in Yorkshire. He was the clerk of Simon of Pattishall, although they were apparently unrelated. By 1201 he was already respected enough to be collecting the Plea rolls from the clerks of other judges on Eyre...	d. 1229	1217–1229	Retired
Sir Thomas of Moulton Thomas of Moulton Sir Thomas de Multon , Lord of Multon, in Lincolnshire, was a British landowner and judge. He fought as a knight in Normandy in 1202-3, in Wales in 1211 and in Poitou in 1214. He was an unlucky speculator under King John, owing over £800 when the Exchequer reopened after the end of the First...	d. 1240	1229–1233	Resigned to travel an Eyre circuit Eyre (legal term) An Eyre or Iter was the name of a circuit traveled by an itinerant justice in medieval England, or the circuit court he presided over , or the right of the king to visit and inspect the holdings of any vassal...
William de Raley William de Raley William de Raley was a medieval judge, administrator and bishop.-Life:In 1212 Raley was presented with the church of Bratton Fleming, with his occupation being described as "clerk". He is known to have served as a clerk of the bench in 1214, and again from 1219 to 1229...	d. 1250	1233–1234	Appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench
Sir Thomas of Moulton Thomas of Moulton Sir Thomas de Multon , Lord of Multon, in Lincolnshire, was a British landowner and judge. He fought as a knight in Normandy in 1202-3, in Wales in 1211 and in Poitou in 1214. He was an unlucky speculator under King John, owing over £800 when the Exchequer reopened after the end of the First...	d. 1240	1234–1236	Retired
Robert of Lexinton Robert of Lexinton Robert of Lexinton or Lessington was a British judge and administrator.-Biography:Robert of Lexinton was a son of Richard of Lexinton...	d. 29 May 1250	1236–1244	Retired
Henry of Bath Henry of Bath Henry de Bada was a British judge and administrator. He began his career under his relative Hugh of Bath, who died in 1236, leaving his chattels to Henry. Henry started his administrative career as a bailiff for the Honour of Berkhamsted in 1221, succeeding Hugh as Under-Sheriff of Berkshire...	d. November 1260	1245–1249	Stripped of his position after accusations of perverting the course of justice Perverting the course of justice Perverting the course of justice, in English, Canadian , and Irish law, is a criminal offence in which someone prevents justice from being served on himself or on another party...
Roger of Thirkleby Roger of Thirkleby Roger of Thirkleby was a British judge. The first record of his work in the judicial system is in 1230, when he was appointed a clerk of the bench. By the end of 1231 he was a clerk for William de Raley. He remained a clerk until 1242, when he was promoted to justice...	d. 1260	1249–1256	Replaced
Henry of Bath Henry of Bath Henry de Bada was a British judge and administrator. He began his career under his relative Hugh of Bath, who died in 1236, leaving his chattels to Henry. Henry started his administrative career as a bailiff for the Honour of Berkhamsted in 1221, succeeding Hugh as Under-Sheriff of Berkshire...	d. November 1260	1256–1258	Retired
Roger of Thirkleby Roger of Thirkleby Roger of Thirkleby was a British judge. The first record of his work in the judicial system is in 1230, when he was appointed a clerk of the bench. By the end of 1231 he was a clerk for William de Raley. He remained a clerk until 1242, when he was promoted to justice...	d. 1260	1258–1260	Died
Sir Gilbert of Preston Gilbert of Preston Sir Gilbert of Preston was a British justice. He was the son of Walter of Preston, who was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire between 1206 and 1208...	1209 – 1274	1260–1267	Resigned to travel an Eyre circuit Justice in Eyre In English law, the Justices in Eyre were the highest magistrates in forest law, and presided over the court of justice-seat, a triennial court held to punish offenders against the forest law and enquire into the state of the forest and its officers...
Martin of Littlebury Martin of Littlebury Sir Martin of Littlebury was a British clerk and justice. He was first recorded in 1242 working as a Kings clerk, although it is assumed that he had been previously working for the government as he was, in 1242, awarded the Moiety of a church in Blackburn, and also given a papal indulgence in...	d. 1274	1267–1272	Replaced
Sir Gilbert of Preston Gilbert of Preston Sir Gilbert of Preston was a British justice. He was the son of Walter of Preston, who was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire between 1206 and 1208...	1209–1274	1272–1274	Died
Roger of Seaton Roger of Seaton Roger of Seaton was a British justice. He studied canon law at Oxford University, and by 1258 he was a qualified magister, a rarity for British justices of the time; of the sixty or so justices who had served under Richard I only three held such a title, with ninety and eight respectively for...	1230–1280	1274–1278	Retired
Sir Thomas Weyland Thomas Weyland Sir Thomas Weyland was a British justice. He was the third son of Herbert Weyland and his wife Beatrice; his three brothers, John, Richard and William, also pursued administrative and judicial careers. Thomas's first appearance in official records is in 1251 as an attorney for his brother John for...	1230 – January 1298	1278–1289	Removed from his position and exiled
Sir Ralph Sandwich Ralph Sandwich Sir Ralph Sandwich was an English administrator and justice. He was Mayor of London from 1285 to 1293....	1235–1308	1289–1290	Resigned
John of Mettingham John of Mettingham John of Mettingham was a British justice. He served as a law clerk for Gilbert of Preston starting in 1265. After Preston's death Mettingham was appointed as a justice for the newly formed Assize Court in 1274...	d. 1301	1290–1301	Died
Ralph de Hengham Ralph de Hengham Sir Ralph de Hengham was an English justice. His first employer was Giles of Erdington a justice of the Common Bench, whose service he entered as a clerk before 1255...	1235 – 18 May 1311	1301–1309	Retired
Sir William Bereford William Bereford Sir William Bereford was an English justice. He was the son of Walter de Bereford, with the family name coming from the village of Barford, Warwickshire. In 1287 his brother, Osbert de Bereford, a previous High Sheriff of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, bought a property in Wishaw, and after his...	d. 1326	1309–1326	Death
Hervey de Stanton Hervey de Stanton Hervey de Stanton was an English judge and Chancellor of the Exchequer.-Origins and early career:...	1260 – November 1327	1326	Failed to be reappointed by Edward III Edward III of England Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
Sir William Herle William Herle Sir William Herle was a British justice. He was first appointed as an attorney for the Common Bench in 1291, and was appointed as a Serjeant-at-law for the Bench in 1299 and was in regular attendance until 1320. In 1315 he was made a King's Serjeant, and in 1320 replaced John Benstead as a junior...	1270–1347	1327–1329	Resigned to travel an Eyre circuit
Sir John Stonor John Stonor Sir John Stonor KS was a British justice and the first notable member of the influential Stonor family. He was the son of Richard Stonor, an Oxfordshire freeholder, with the family name coming from the village of Stonor...	1281–1354	1329–1331	Failed to be reappointed by Edward III Edward III of England Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
Sir William Herle William Herle Sir William Herle was a British justice. He was first appointed as an attorney for the Common Bench in 1291, and was appointed as a Serjeant-at-law for the Bench in 1299 and was in regular attendance until 1320. In 1315 he was made a King's Serjeant, and in 1320 replaced John Benstead as a junior...	1270–1347	1331–1333	Resigned to travel an Eyre circuit
Sir Henry Scrope Henry le Scrope Sir Henry le Scrope was an English lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench for two periods between 1317 and 1330. He was the eldest son of Sir William le Scrope , who was bailiff to the earl of Richmond in Richmondshire...	d. 7 September 1336	1333	Replaced
Sir William Herle William Herle Sir William Herle was a British justice. He was first appointed as an attorney for the Common Bench in 1291, and was appointed as a Serjeant-at-law for the Bench in 1299 and was in regular attendance until 1320. In 1315 he was made a King's Serjeant, and in 1320 replaced John Benstead as a junior...	1270–1347	1333–1335	Retired
Sir John Stonor John Stonor Sir John Stonor KS was a British justice and the first notable member of the influential Stonor family. He was the son of Richard Stonor, an Oxfordshire freeholder, with the family name coming from the village of Stonor...	1281–1354	1335–1341	Removed
Sir Roger Hillary Roger Hillary Sir Roger Hillary was an English justice. He was one of five sons of William Hillary and his wife Agnes, a landowning family which held properties in Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire, and appear to have been related to Sir William Bereford, the Chief Justice of the...	d. 1356	1341–1342	Replaced
Sir John Stonor John Stonor Sir John Stonor KS was a British justice and the first notable member of the influential Stonor family. He was the son of Richard Stonor, an Oxfordshire freeholder, with the family name coming from the village of Stonor...	1281–1354	1342–1354	Retired
Sir Roger Hillary Roger Hillary Sir Roger Hillary was an English justice. He was one of five sons of William Hillary and his wife Agnes, a landowning family which held properties in Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire, and appear to have been related to Sir William Bereford, the Chief Justice of the...	d. 1356	1354–1356	Died
Sir Robert Thorpe Robert Thorpe (Lord Chancellor) Sir Robert Thorpe KS JP was a British justice. He was the son of another Sir Robert Thorpe, and is occasionally confused with another Robert Thorpe who was second master of Pembroke College, Cambridge at around the same time...	d. 29 June 1372	1356–1371	Appointed Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
Sir William Fyncheden William Fyncheden Sir William Fyncheden KS was a British justice. He was first recorded as a lawyer in 1350, and the same year was made a Commissioner of embankments in Yorkshire...	d. 1374	1371–1374	Died
Sir Robert Bealknap Robert Bealknap His Worship Sir Robert Bealknap JP was a British justice. He is first mentioned in June 1351 in a papal register of indults issued to inhabitants of Great Britain, where he is called a "clerk, of the diocese of Salisbury" in Wiltshire. He next appears in 1353 as a member of a commission to...	d. 19 January 1401	1374–1388	Exiled
Sir Robert Charleton Robert Charleton (justice) His Worship Sir Robert Charleton SL JP was a British justice. He is first recorded in July 1375, when he was made a commissioner of the peace for Wiltshire and Somerset; from here on his appointments were spread over much of England, including a September 1377 investigation in Wiltshire examining...	d. 1395	1388–1395	Died
William Thirning William Thirning William Thirning KS was a British justice. He served as a commissioner of the peace in 1377 in Northamptonshire and as a commissioner of Oyer and terminer in Bedfordshire in the same year, as well as a Justice of Assize for Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland in June 1880 before...	d. 1413	1396–1413	Died
Richard Norton Richard Norton (justice) His Worship Richard Norton KS JP was a British justice. He was the son of Adam Conyers, who changed his name to Adam Norton when he married the heiress of Norton-on-Derwent in Yorkshire. Norton is first mentioned as an Advocate in 1399, and was created a Serjeant-at-law in 1401...	d. 1420	1413–1420	Died
Sir William Babington	d. 1454	1423–1436	Retired
Sir John Juyn John Juyn Sir John Juyn SL was a British judge. He was the son of John Juhyne, a wool merchant from Bristol, and his wife Margery. After the death of his father in 1390, Juyn inherited his estates in Bristol, Bedminster and Knowle, and his contacts with the Bristolian merchant community helped with his...	d. 24 March 1440	1436–1439	Died
John Cottesmore John Cottesmore His Worship John Cottesmore SL JP was a British justice of unknown origin. The first record of his work was in Oxfordshire in 1403, the location of much of his early legal work. In 1418 he was appointed to a Commission of the Peace for Oxford; by this point he was a Serjeant-at-law...	d. 29 August 1439	1439	Died
Sir Richard Newton Richard Newton (justice) Sir Richard Newton KS was a British justice. He was educated as a lawyer at Middle Temple, and created a Serjeant-at-law in 1425, followed by a promotion to King's Serjeant in 1430...	d. 13 December 1448	1439–1448	Died
Sir John Prysot John Prysot His Worship Sir John Prysot JP KS was a British justice. Records of his early life and career are sketchy, but from the late 1330s he was active in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, starting as a Justice of the Peace in Cambridgeshire in 1437 followed by appointment as an Escheator for that county...	d. 1461	1449–1461	Died
Sir Robert Danby Robert Danby His Worship Sir Robert Danby KS JP was a British justice. His career was divided between the north of England and Westminster, serving as an arbitrator for the Prior of Durham in 1431 and as serjeant for the Prior from 1442 until at least 1453. In 1433 he was made a Serjeant-at-law, followed by a...	d. 1474	1461–1471	Not reappointed by Edward IV Edward IV of England Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
Sir Thomas Bryan Thomas Bryan (Chief Justice) Sir Thomas Bryan KS KB was a British justiceHe was born to common blood, most likely to the son of John Bryan, who was a fishmonger, although Thomas assumed the arms of Guy Bryan when he became a person of some importance...	d. 14 August 1500	1471–1500	Died
Sir Thomas Wode Thomas Wode Sir Thomas Wode KS was a British judge.His early life and career are unknown, leading to him being described as 'perhaps the most obscure chief justice of the Tudor period'...	d. 31 August 1502	1500–1502	Died
Sir Thomas Frowyk Thomas Frowyk Sir Thomas Frowyk KS was an English justice.He was the son of Sir Thomas Frowyk, a Mercer, and grandson of Henry Frowyk, who had served as Lord Mayor of the City of London...	1460 – 7 October 1506	1502–1506	Died
Sir Robert Rede Robert Rede Sir Robert Rede KS was a British justice. He was the son of William Rede of Wrangle, Lincolnshire, a merchant working from Calais, and his wife Joan. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1467 and gave his first reading there in 1481...	d. 7 January 1519	1506–1519	Died
Sir John Ernley John Ernley Sir John Ernley was a British justice. He was educated at one of the Inns of Chancery from 1478 to 1480 before being admitted to Gray's Inn. By 1490 he was a particularly conspicuous member of the "Sussex circle" gathered around Edmund Dudley...	1464 – 22 April 1520	1519–1520	Died
Sir Robert Brudenell Robert Brudenell (Chief Justice) Sir Robert Brudenell KS was a British justice. He entered Inner Temple in 1480 and gave his first reading in 1490 on the subject of De donis conditionalibus, followed by a second reading in 1500. He became governor of the inn in 1496, and before 1503 served as treasurer...	1461 – 30 January 1531	1520–1530	Retired
Sir Robert Norwich Robert Norwich His Worship Sir Robert Norwich KS JP was a British justice. He was a member of Lincoln's Inn, and is first mentioned practicing in the Court of Requests in 1516, followed by service in his home county of Essex as a commissioner in 1518. The same year he became a Bencher of his Inn, also giving his...	d. April 1535	1530–1535	Died
Sir John Baldwin John Baldwin (Chief Justice) His Worship Sir John Baldwin JP KS was a British justice. Details of his early career are sketchy; he joined the Inner Temple some time before 1500, and was practicing in the Court of Requests by 1506, followed by an appointment as a Justice of the Peace for Buckinghamshire in 1510...	d. 24 October 1545	1535–1545	Died
Sir Edward Montagu	c. 1485 – 10 February 1557	1545–1553	Retired
Sir Richard Morgan Richard Morgan (Chief Justice) Sir Richard Morgan SL PC was a British justice. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1524 and served as legal counsel to the Duchy of Lancaster in 1528 before being called to the bar in 1528. He gave his first reading at Lincoln's Inn in 1542 on the action of Replevin, unusually using two texts as...	d. May 1556	1553–1554	Removed after going insane
Sir Robert Broke Robert Broke Sir Robert Broke SL was a British justice, politician and legal writer. He was the eldest son of Thomas Broke of Claverley, Shropshire and his wife Margaret. He studied at Strand Inn, and from there was admitted to Middle Temple at some point between 1525 and 1528 and studying pleading with the...	d. 5 September 1558	1554–1558	Died
Anthony Browne Anthony Browne (justice) Sir Anthony Browne QS was a British justice. He came from a family of lawyers; his father, Sir Wistan Browne, was a barrister of the Middle Temple, and three of his uncles served as benchers there, one of whom was Sir Humphrey Browne, a justice of the Court of Common Pleas...	1509–1567	1558–1559	Appointed a justice of the Queen's Bench
Sir James Dyer James Dyer Sir James Dyer was a judge and Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of Edward VI of England.Dyer was knighted at Whitehall on 9 April 1553, Strand Inn, preparatory 1520s, Middle Temple abt. 1530, called to the bar 1537?, bencher 1540s, serjeant-at-law 17 Oct...	1510–1582	1559–1582	Died
Sir Edmund Anderson	1530 – 1 August 1605	2 May 1582 – 1 August 1605	Died
Sir Francis Gawdy Francis Gawdy Sir Francis Gawdy QS was a British judge. He was the third son of Thomas Gawdy, and was baptised Thomas Gawdy, as were his two older half-brothers. Francis then had his name changed at his Confirmation, establishing legal precedent that a name given at baptism could be changed at confirmation...	d. 15 December 1605	August 1605 – 15 December 1605	Died
Sir Edward Coke Edward Coke Sir Edward Coke SL PC was an English barrister, judge and politician considered to be the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Born into a middle class family, Coke was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge before leaving to study at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the...	1 February 1552 – 3 September 1634	30 June 1606 – 25 October 1613	Appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench
Sir Henry Hobart Sir Henry Hobart, 1st Baronet Sir Henry Hobart, 1st Baronet SL , of Blickling Hall, was an English judge and politician.The son of Thomas Hobart and Audrey Hare, and Great grandson of Sir James Hobart of Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, who served as Attorney General during the reign of King Henry VII.Sir Henry would further this lineal...	c. 1560 – 29 December 1625	26 November 1613 – 29 December 1625	Died
Sir Thomas Richardson Thomas Richardson (judge) Sir Thomas Richardson was successively Speaker of the House of Commons, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.-Origins and early career:...	3 July 1569 – 4 February 1635	22 November 1626 – October 1631	Appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench
Sir Robert Heath Robert Heath Sir Robert Heath was an English lawyer and judge.-Early life:He was educated at Tunbridge Wells grammar school, St John's College, Cambridge from age 14 and Clifford's Inn from age 17; and became a barrister of the Inner Temple in 1603. He was an MP for the City of London in 1620, and became...	1575–1649	October 1631 – 13 September 1634	Dismissed
Sir John Finch John Finch John Finch, 1st Baron Finch was an English judge, and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1614 and 1629. He was Speaker of the House of Commons.-Early life:...	17 September 1584 – 27 November 1660	16 October 1634 – 1640	Appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Lord Keeper of the Great Seal The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and later of Great Britain, was formerly an officer of the English Crown charged with physical custody of the Great Seal of England. This evolved into one of the Great Officers of State....
Sir Edward Littleton Edward Littleton, 1st Baron Lyttleton of Mounslow Edward, Baron Littleton , from Munslow in Shropshire, was a Chief Justice of North Wales. He was descended from the judge and legal scholar, Thomas de Littleton. His father, also Edward, had been Chief Justice of North Wales before him.-Education and career:He was educated at Oxford before...	1589 – 27 August 1645	27 January 1640 – 18 January 1641	Appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
Sir John Bankes John Bankes Sir John Bankes was Attorney General and Chief Justice to King Charles I of England during the English Civil War. He was one of the most prominent members of the Bankes family of Dorset...	1589 – 28 December 1644	29 January 1641 – 28 December 1644	Died
Oliver St John Oliver St John Sir Oliver St John , was an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1653. He supported the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War.- Early life :...	c. 1598 – 31 December 1673	1 October 1648 – 1660	Excluded from public office following the Restoration
Sir Orlando Bridgeman	30 January 1606 – 25 June 1674	22 October 1660– May 1668	Appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
Sir John Vaughan John Vaughan (judge) Sir John Vaughan SL , of Trawsgoed, was a British justice.-Life:He was born in Ceredigion, Wales, the eldest of eight children of Edward Vaughan and his wife Letitia Stedman of Strata Florida, and was educated initially at The King's School, Worcester between 1613 and 1618, when he was admitted to...	14 September 1603 – 10 December 1674	23 May 1668 – 10 December 1674	Died
Sir Francis North Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford PC KC was the third son of the 4th Baron North, and was created Baron Guilford in 1683, after becoming Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in succession to Lord Nottingham....	1637–1685	23 January 1675 – 20 December 1682	Appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
Sir Francis Pemberton Francis Pemberton Sir Francis Pemberton was an English judge and briefly Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in the course of a turbulent career.-Early life:...	18 July 1624 – 10 June 1697	January 1683 – September 1683	Dismissed
Sir Thomas Jones Thomas Jones (justice) Sir Thomas Jones KS was a British justice and law reporter. He was the second son of Edward Jones and his wife Mary, and was initially educated at Shrewsbury School before being admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, as a pensioner on 9 May 1629...	13 October 1614 – 31 May 1692	29 September 1683 – 21 April 1686	Dismissed
Sir Henry Bedingfield Henry Bedingfield (judge) Sir Henry Bedingfield was an English barrister, who was briefly Chief Justice of the Common Pleas at the end of his life.-Early life and family:...	9 December 1632 – 6 February 1687	21 April 1686 – 6 February 1687	Died
Robert Wright Robert Wright (judge) Sir Robert Wright was an English judge and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench 1687–89.-Early life:Wright was the son of Jermyn Wright of Wangford in Suffolk, by his wife Anne, daughter of Richard Bachcroft of Bexwell in Norfolk. He was descended from a family long seated at Kelverstone in Norfolk,...	1634–1689	13 April 1687 – 18 April 1687	Exchanged with Edward Herbert for the position of Chief Justice of the King's Bench
Sir Edward Herbert Edward Herbert (judge) Sir Edward Herbert , titular Earl of Portland, was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of the King’s Bench during the reign of James II.-Early life and career:...	c. 1648 – November 1698	1687–1689	Dismissed after fleeing to Ireland with James II James II of England James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
Sir Henry Pollexfen Henry Pollexfen Sir Henry Pollexfen was a British judge and politician. He was the son of Andrew Pollexfen and his wife Joan, and the brother of John Pollexfen, the British political economist. He entered Inner Temple in 1652, was called to the bar in 1658 and by 1662 he was pleading before the high courts at...	1632 – 15 June 1691	6 May 1689 – 15 June 1691	Died
Sir George Treby George Treby (judge) Sir George Treby JP was a British justice and politician.-Early life and education:He was the oldest son of Peter Treby, a barrister at the Court of Common Pleas and his wife Joan. He was educated at Plympton School, and was accepted into Exeter College, Oxford in June 1660...	1643 – 13 December 1700	30 April 1692 – 13 December 1700	Died
Thomas Trevor, 1st Baron Trevor Thomas Trevor, 1st Baron Trevor Thomas Trevor, 1st Baron Trevor PC was knighted in 1692 as Solicitor General and in 1695 became Attorney-General....	8 March 1658 – 19 June 1730	5 July 1701 – 14 October 1714	Not reappointed by George I George I of Great Britain George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
Peter King, 1st Baron King Peter King, 1st Baron King Peter King, 1st Baron King PC, FRS was an English lawyer and politician, who became lord chancellor of England.-Life:He was born in Exeter in 1669....	c. 1669 – 22 July 1734	27 October 1714 – 1 June 1725	Appointed Lord Chancellor
Sir Robert Eyre Robert Eyre Sir Robert Eyre was an English lawyer, who served as Solicitor-General and then as a judge, ultimately as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.-Family:...	1666 – 28 December 1735	1725–1735	Died
Sir Thomas Reeve Thomas Reeve Sir Thomas Reeve KC SL PC was a British justice. He was the son of Richard Reeve, and was matriculated to Trinity College, Oxford in 1688 at the age of 15, joining Inner Temple in 1690. In 1698 he was called to the Bar, migrating to Middle Temple in 1713. He was called to the Inn bench in 1720,...	1673 – 19 January 1737	26 January 1736 – 19 January 1737	Died
Sir John Willes John Willes (judge) Sir John Willes was an English lawyer and judge who was the longest-serving Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas since the 15th century. He was also a Member of Parliament....	29 November 1685 – 15 December 1761	28 January 1737 – 15 December 1761	Died
Charles Pratt, 1st Baron Camden Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden was an English lawyer, judge and Whig politician who was first to hold the title of Earl of Camden...	21 March 1714 – 18 April 1794	January 1762 – 30 July 1766	Appointed Lord Chancellor
Sir John Eardley Wilmot John Eardley Wilmot Sir John Eardley Wilmot PC , was an English judge, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1766 to 1771.-Family and early life:...	16 August 1709 – 5 February 1792	20 August 1766 – 26 January 1771	Resigned
Sir William de Grey William de Grey, 1st Baron Walsingham William de Grey, 1st Baron Walsingham KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas between 1771 and 1780....	7 July 1719 – 9 May 1781	January 1771 – June 1780	Resigned
Alexander Wedderburn Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1793 to 1801.-Life:He was the eldest son of Peter Wedderburn , and was born in East Lothian....	13 February 1733 – 2 January 1805	1780–1793	Appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
Sir James Eyre James Eyre Sir James Eyre was an English judge, the son of the Rev. Thomas Eyre, of Wells, Somerset.-Biography:He was educated at Winchester College and at St John's College, Oxford, which he left without taking a degree. He was called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1755, Thomas Parker, chief baron of the...	1734 – 1 July 1799	11 February 1793 – 1 July 1799	Died
John Scott, 1st Baron Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon PC KC FRS FSA was a British barrister and politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806 and again between 1807 and 1827.- Background and education :...	4 June 1751 – 13 January 1838	17 July 1799 – 1801	Appointed Lord Chancellor
Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley PC, KC was a British barrister and politician.He was born on 20 May 1744 in Bredbury, the son of John Arden , and Mary Pepper, and baptised on 20 June 1744 in Stockport. Educated at The Manchester Grammar School, he matriculated at Trinity College,...	20 May 1744 – 19 March 1804	22 May 1801 – 19 March 1804	Died
Sir James Mansfield James Mansfield Sir James Mansfield , SL, KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Solicitor General and served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1799 to 1814.-Early life and career:...	1733 – 23 May 1821	24 April 1804 – 21 February 1814	Resigned
Sir Vicary Gibbs Vicary Gibbs Sir Vicary Gibbs, KC was an English judge and politician. He was known for his caustic wit, which won for him the sobriquet of "Vinegar Gibbs".-Early life and education :...	27 October 1751 – 1820	February 1814–November 1818	Resigned
Sir Robert Dallas Robert Dallas Sir Robert Dallas , PC, SL KC was an English judge, of a Scottish family.Robert Charles Dallas was born at Kingston, Jamaica in 1756. Dallas and his brother George were educated first at James Elphinstone's school in Kensington, and then in Geneva, by the pastor Chauvet. He entered Lincoln's Inn...	16 October 1756 – 25 December 1824	November 1818–1824	Retired
Robert Gifford, 1st Baron Gifford Robert Gifford, 1st Baron Gifford Robert Gifford, 1st Baron Gifford was a British lawyer, judge and politician.Gifford was elected to the House of Commons for Eye in 1817, a seat he represented until 1824, and served under the Earl of Liverpool as Solicitor General between 1817 and 1819 and as Attorney General between 1819 and 1824...	24 February 1779 – 4 September 1826	9 January 1824 – 5 April 1824	Appointed Master of the Rolls Master of the Rolls The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
Sir William Best	13 December 1767 – 3 March 1845	15 April 1824 – June 1829	Retired
Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal Nicholas Conyngham Tindal Sir Nicolas Conyngham Tindal was a celebrated English lawyer who successfully defended Queen Caroline at her trial for adultery in 1820...	12 December 1776 – 6 July 1846	9 June 1829 – 6 July 1846	Died
Sir Thomas Wilde	7 July 1782–November 1855	6 July 1846 – 15 July 1850	Appointed Lord Chancellor
Sir John Jervis John Jervis (politician) Sir John Jervis was an English lawyer, law reformer and Attorney General in the administration of Lord John Russell...	12 January 1802 – 1 November 1856	16 July 1850 – 1 November 1856	Died
Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet Sir Alexander Cockburn, 12th Baronet Sir Alexander James Edmund Cockburn, 12th Baronet Q.C. was a Scottish lawyer, politician and judge. A notorious womaniser and socialite, as Lord Chief Justice he heard some of the leading causes célèbres of the 19th century.-Life:Cockburn was born in Alţâna, in what is now Romania and was then...	24 September 1802 – 20 November 1880	November 1856 – 24 June 1859	Appointed Chief Justice of England Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England and Wales. Historically, he was the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, but that changed as a result of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005,...
Sir William Erle William Erle Sir William Erle PC QC FRS was an English lawyer, judge and Whig politician.-Early career:Born at Fifehead Magdalen, Dorset, William was the son of the Rev. Christopher Erle of Gillingham, Dorset and Margaret née Bowles, a relative of the poet William Lisle Bowles. His younger brother Peter Erle...	1 October 1793 – 28 January 1880	June 1859 – November 1866	Retired
Sir William Bovill William Bovill Sir William Bovill was an English lawyer, politician and judge. He served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas between 1866 and his death in 1873.-Background:...	26 May 1814 – 1 November 1873	November 1866 –1 November 1873	Died
John Duke Coleridge, 1st Baron Coleridge	3 December 1820 – 14 June 1894	November 1873 – 20 November 1880	Court merged with the Court of King's Bench Court of King's Bench (England) The Court of King's Bench , formally known as The Court of the King Before the King Himself, was an English court of common law in the English legal system...  and the Exchequer of pleas Exchequer of pleas The Exchequer of Pleas or Court of Exchequer was a court that followed equity, a set of legal principles based on natural law, and common law, in England and Wales. Originally part of the curia regis, or King's Council, the Exchequer of Pleas split from the curia during the 1190s, to sit as an... ; became the first Lord Chief Justice of a unified High Court.