Lord High Chancellor

The Lord High Chancellor of Æfira, commonly known as the Lord Chancellor, is the second of the Great Officers of State. He or she serves as the presiding officer of the House of Lords (the counterpart to the Speaker in the House of Commons), is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Realm, and has various duties relating to the administration of justice. The Lord Chancellor is a non-partisan functionary and is expected to remain politically neutral.

Although not a judge, the Lord Chancellor is responsible for overseeing the running of the courts of law, upholding the independence of the judiciary, and advising the Sovereign on appointments to high judicial office. Formerly, he or she did serve as a judge, until the Judiciary Act 2008 abolished the judicial functions of the House of Lords.

Current incumbent: The Rt. Hon. the Lord Lendray, P.C., K.C. (since 4 February 2009)