Legal Definitions - Keeper of the Broad Seal

The term Keeper of the Broad Seal refers to the same high-ranking official as the Keeper of the Great Seal. This individual is entrusted with the custody and authorized use of a nation's official seal, often referred to as the "Great Seal" or "Broad Seal."

The Great Seal is a crucial symbol of a state's sovereign authority and is used to authenticate the most important government documents. These can include acts of parliament, royal proclamations, international treaties, and appointments to high public office. The Keeper's role is to ensure that the seal is applied correctly and only to legitimate documents, thereby safeguarding the integrity and validity of state actions.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the Keeper of the Broad Seal:

• Authenticating a New Law: In a historical monarchy, after a new law had been debated and approved by the legislative body, the final official parchment copy would be presented to the monarch for assent. Once the monarch approved, the Keeper of the Broad Seal would be responsible for affixing the Great Seal to this document. This act formally certified that the law had received royal approval and was now a binding statute, making it enforceable across the kingdom.

• Ratifying an International Treaty: When a modern nation concludes negotiations and decides to formally join an international treaty, an official instrument of ratification is prepared. The Keeper of the Broad Seal (or the equivalent official in that nation's government, such as the Secretary of State or Foreign Minister) would oversee the application of the national Great Seal to this document. This formal sealing signifies the nation's solemn commitment to the treaty, making it legally binding under international law.

• Appointing a High Official: Imagine a head of state formally appointing a new Supreme Court justice or an ambassador to another country. The official letters patent or commission detailing this appointment would typically bear the impression of the Great Seal. The Keeper of the Broad Seal would be the official responsible for authorizing and supervising the application of this seal, thereby validating the appointment and granting the individual the full authority and legitimacy of their new office.