Legal Definitions - Keeper of the Rolls

The term Keeper of the Rolls, also known by its Latin equivalent Custos Rotulorum, refers to a historical and largely ceremonial office in England and Wales. Historically, the Keeper of the Rolls was the chief non-judicial officer of a county, primarily responsible for the custody and preservation of the county's official records, particularly the judicial rolls and other documents of the Quarter Sessions (local courts). This individual was typically the most senior Justice of the Peace in the county and played a significant role in the administration of local justice.

Today, the role is largely ceremonial, with the Lord-Lieutenant of a county usually holding the title of Custos Rotulorum. This symbolizes their connection to the county's historical legal and administrative heritage, rather than involving active record-keeping or judicial duties.

• Example 1 (Historical Record Keeping): Imagine a historian in the 18th century researching land disputes in a particular English county. They would need to consult the official court records, known as the "rolls," which documented the proceedings and judgments of the local courts. The individual responsible for the physical safekeeping and organization of these vital documents, ensuring their integrity and accessibility, would have been the Keeper of the Rolls for that county.

  Explanation: This example illustrates the core historical function of the Keeper of the Rolls: the preservation and management of official county records, particularly those related to legal proceedings.

• Example 2 (Historical Judicial Administration): Consider a situation in 17th-century rural England where new Justices of the Peace needed to be appointed to handle local law enforcement and minor judicial matters. While the Crown formally appointed them, the Keeper of the Rolls, as the most senior Justice of the Peace, would have held significant influence in recommending suitable candidates and overseeing the general administration of justice within the county, ensuring the smooth operation of the Quarter Sessions.

  Explanation: This example highlights the Keeper of the Rolls' historical authority and influence in the practical administration of justice and the selection of judicial officers at the county level.

• Example 3 (Modern Ceremonial Role): In a modern English county, during a ceremony to unveil a plaque commemorating a significant historical legal event, the current Lord-Lieutenant might be invited to speak. In their speech, they might reference their additional title as the Custos Rotulorum (Keeper of the Rolls) for the county, emphasizing the continuity of local governance and the importance of preserving the county's legal heritage.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the contemporary, largely ceremonial nature of the office, where the title is held by the Lord-Lieutenant and serves as a symbolic link to the county's historical legal and administrative past, rather than an active record-keeping or judicial role.