Legal Definitions - Lord High Steward

The Lord High Steward was a historical office in the United Kingdom, specifically a temporary role within the House of Lords. This individual served as the presiding officer during a criminal trial of a member of the nobility (a peer) who was accused of serious offenses such as treason or a felony. Historically, peers held a unique legal privilege that meant they were tried by their fellow peers in the House of Lords, rather than by a common jury. The Lord High Steward's function was to oversee these specific trials, ensuring proper legal procedure. This office became obsolete after 1948, when the special legal privilege of peers in criminal proceedings was abolished.

• Imagine a scenario in 18th-century England where the Duke of Northumberland was accused of conspiring against the Crown, a charge of treason. In such a grave situation, the trial would not take place in a regular court. Instead, it would be held within the House of Lords, with the Lord High Steward appointed specifically to oversee the proceedings, ensure proper legal process, and guide the other peers acting as judges. This illustrates the role's function in presiding over a peer's trial for treason.

• Consider a fictional case from the late 19th century where a Baron was accused of a serious felony, such as murder. Due to his status as a peer, he would not be tried by a jury of commoners. His trial would be conducted by his fellow peers in the House of Lords, and the Lord High Steward would be the designated official responsible for presiding over this special court, much like a chief judge in a modern trial. This example highlights the Lord High Steward's role in a peer's trial for a felony.