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Forms of address used in the United Kingdom are given below.
Terminology
Abbreviations
- His/Her Majesty: HM (pl. TM)
- His/Her Royal Highness: HRH (pl. TRH)
- The Most Noble: TN
- The Most Honourable: The Most Hon (The Most Honble)
- The Right Honourable: The Rt Hon (The Rt Honble)
- The Honourable: The Hon (The Honble)
- The Much Honoured: The Much Hon (The Much Hon'd)
- The Most Reverend: The Most Rev (The Most Revd or The Most Rev'd)
- The Right Reverend: The Rt Rev (The Rt Revd or The Rt Rev'd)
- The Very Reverend: The Very Rev (The Very Revd or The Very Rev'd)
- The Reverend: The Rev (The Revd or The Rev'd)
- The Venerable: The Ven (The Venble)
Right Honourable
The punctuation of "The Rt Hon" (abbreviation of "The Right Honourable") is not consistent throughout sources. The Gazette favours "The Rt. Hon.", while the government usually prefers "The Rt Hon" or "The Rt Hon."
The House of Lords and the College of Arms have discontinued the use of "The Right Honourable" unless the person is a Privy Counsellor. Instead, the post-nominal letters of "PC" are used.
Names and territorial designations
- "London" represents the territorial designation of any peerage.
- "Edinburgh" represents any territorial designation in Scotland.
- "John" and "William" represent any male name
- "Jane" and "Mary" represent any female name.
- "Smith" and "Brown" represent any lastname, regardless of gender.
In regards to the nobility, Mary Brown represents a woman who married John Brown, while Jane Smith represents an unmarried woman.
The definite article "the" in the middle of two or more titles is sometimes capitalized, as in these tables. However this is controversial: traditional British guides use the lower-case "the". As a single example, Debrett's gives "Major-General the Lord ...",[1] and Pears' Cyclopaedia in the section on Modes of Address gives several examples where the definite article interior to a list of honours is lower case.[2]
Royal Family
| Rank or position | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter | Verbal communication | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The King | HM The King | Your Majesty | Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Sir" (or the archaic "Sire") | |
| The Queen (regnant or consort) | HM The Queen | Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Ma'am" (to rhyme with "jam" or "lamb") |
[3] | |
| The Queen Mother | HM The Queen Mother
e.g. HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother HM Queen Mary e.g. HM Queen Alexandra | |||
| The Prince of Wales | HRH The Prince of Wales
(Wife: HRH The Princess of Wales)[a] In Scotland:[b] |
Your Royal Highness | Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir" (for males) or "Ma'am" (for females) | |
| The Princess Royal | HRH The Princess Royal | |||
| Royal peer or peeress (in her own right or in her husband's) |
HRH The Duke of London
e.g. HRH The Duke of Cambridge HRH The Duchess of London e.g. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge | |||
| Sovereign's children[c] | HRH The Prince John
(Wife: HRH The Princess John) HRH The Princess Mary |
[4] | ||
| Children of the Prince of Wales[c] | HRH Prince John of Wales
HRH Princess Mary of Wales | |||
| Sovereign's son's children[c][d]
Prince of Wales's eldest son's children |
HRH Prince John of London
e.g. HRH Prince Michael of Kent[e] (Wife: HRH Princess John of London) e.g. HRH Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Mary of London e.g. HRH Princess Beatrice of York[f] |
[4][6] | ||
| Sovereign's son's son's children[g][h] | The Lord John Windsor
e.g. The Lord Nicholas Windsor[i] (Wife: The Lady John Windsor) e.g. The Lady Nicholas Windsor The Lady Mary Windsor e.g. The The Lady Helen Taylor[j] |
Dear Lord John
(Wife: Dear Lady John) Dear Lady Mary |
Lord John
(Wife: Lady John) Lay Mary |
Notes:
- The current wife of the Prince of Wales, Camilla Parker Bowles, uses the title of Duchess of Cornwall since her marriage in 2005, to avoid confusion with the previous Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, and is therefore styled as follows: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland).
- In Scotland, the Dukedom of Rothesay ranks higher in the order of precedence, and as such the Principality of Wales is dropped in favour of the dukedom.
- Unless a peer, in which case the style for a Royal peer or peeress is used: HRH The Duke of London (for males), HRH The Duchess of London (for females).
- Except the children of the Earl of Wessex, who, by their parents' choice, are styled as the children of an Earl.[5]
- Son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Prince of Wales.
- Daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, son of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Except the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, whose styles are that of the Sovereign's son's children.
- Styled as the children of a Duke, even if their father is not one (this considering children of a Sovereign are often elevated to a Dukedom upon marriage).
- Son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of George V.
- Daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of George V.
Peerage
| Rank | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter[a] | Verbal communication | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke
Duchess |
His Grace (The Most Noble)[b] The Duke of London
e.g. His Grace The Duke of Norfolk Her Grace (The Most Noble)[b] The Duchess of London e.g. Her Grace The Duchess of Hamilton |
My Lord Duke Dear Duke (of London) Madam |
Your Grace Duke Sir Your Grace |
[10][11][12] |
| Marquess
Marchioness |
(The Most Hon) The Marquess of London
e.g. The Marquess of Milford Haven (The Most Hon) The Marquess London (The Most Hon) The Marquess of Smith e.g. The Marquess of Cholmondeley (The Most Hon) The Marquess Smith |
My Lord (Marquess) Dear Lord London/Smith Madam |
My Lord Your Lordship Lord London/Smith My Lady |
[12] |
| Earl
Countess |
(The Rt Hon) The Earl of London
(The Rt Hon) The Earl London e.g. The Earl Cawdor (The Rt Hon) The Earl of Smith e.g. The Earl of Melville (The Rt Hon) The Earl Smith e.g. The Earl Howe or The Earl Attlee (The Rt Hon) The Earl Smith of London |
My Lord Dear Lord London Madam or |
My Lord Your Lordship Lord Smith/London My Lady or | |
| Viscount[c]
Viscountess |
(The Rt Hon) The Viscount of London
(The Rt Hon) The Viscount London e.g. The Viscountess Daventry or The Viscount Hereford (The Rt Hon) The Viscount of Smith e.g. The Viscount of Arbuthnott (The Rt Hon) The Viscount Smith (The Rt Hon) The Viscount Smith of London | |||
| Baron[d]
Lady of Parliament |
(The Rt Hon) The Baron of London
e.g. The Baron of Newnham Paddockes or The Baron of Renfrew (The Rt Hon) The Baron London e.g. The Baron Windlesham or The Baron Ellenborough (The Rt Hon) The Baron Smith (The Rt Hon) The Baron Smith of London |
Notes:
- The forms given under "Salutation in Letter" are for use in formal and social correspondence, respectively.
- Viscounts often use 'Lord' instead of 'Viscount', much like a Baron.
- Barons often use 'Lord' instead of 'Baron', specially in life peerages.
- Baronesses in their own right use 'Baroness' instead of 'Lady', to differenciate themselves from Baronesses in their husband's right.
- Lords of Parliament almost always use 'Lord' instead of 'Baron'.
Dowagers and former wifes of peers
| Rank | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter[a] | Verbal communication | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowager Duchess | If the existing Duke is unmarried:
Her Grace The Duchess of London e.g. Her Grace The Duchess of Grafton If the existing Duke is married: Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of London e.g. Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire If the widow of the predecessor is still alive:[b] Her Grace Jane, Duchess of London |
Madam Dear Duchess (of London) |
Your Grace (Dowager) Duchess Ma'am |
[10][14] |
| Former wife of a Duke (unmarried) | Jane, Duchess of London
e.g. Margaret, Duchess of Argyll |
Madam Dear Duchess (of London) |
Madam Duchess |
[10] |
Notes:
Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls
Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls use their father's most senior subsidiary title as courtesy titles: note the absence of "The" before the title.[a] If applicable, eldest sons of courtesy marquesses or courtesy earls also use a subsidiary title from their (great) grandfather, which is lower ranking than the one used by their father. Eldest daughters do not have courtesy titles; all courtesy peeresses are wives of courtesy peers.[b]
| Position | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter | Verbal communication | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy Marquess | Marquess of London
Marquess of Blandford Marquess of Smith Marquess of Graham |
My Lord or Dear Lord London (Wife: Madam or |
My Lord or Lord London (Wife: My Lady or |
[12] |
| Courtesy Earl | Earl of London
e.g. Earl of Arundel Earl Smith e.g. Earl Jermyn | |||
| Courtesy Viscount | Viscount of London
e.g. Viscount Castlereagh Viscount London e.g. Viscount Castlereagh Viscount Smith e.g. Viscount Loftus Viscount Smith of London e.g. Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden | |||
| Courtesy Baron Courtesy Lord of Parliament |
Lord London
e.g. Lord Brabourne Lord Smith e.g. Lord Maltravers Lord Smith of London e.g. Baron Howard of Effingham |
Notes:
- Some sources do not recommend the use of the definite article before certain courtesy titles (particularly those who have prospects of promotion within the family's titles), but it is not used by official Court publications such as the Court Circular.[15]
- If the definite article is not used before courtesy peerages and The Hon Elizabeth Smith marries Sir William Brown, she becomes The Hon Lady Brown, but if she marries the higher-ranked Lord Brown, a courtesy Baron, she becomes only Lady Brown. If this Sir William Brown's father is created Earl of London and Baron Brown, as a result of this ennoblement his wife's style will actually change, from "The Hon Lady Brown" to "Lady Brown". It is important to note that while the style may appear diminished, the precedence taken increases from that of a wife of a knight to that of a wife of an earl's eldest son.
Heirs of Scottish peers
Heirs-apparent and heirs-presumptive of Scottish peers use the titles "Master" and "Mistress"; these are substantive, not courtesy titles. If, however, the individual is the eldest son of a Duke, Marquess or Earl, then he uses the appropriate courtesy title, as noted above.
| Position | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter | Oral address | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish peer's heir (apparent or presumptive) | The Master of Edinburgh
e.g. The Master of Falklan The Mistress of Edinburgh e.g. The Mistress of Mar |
Sir Dear Mr Smith Dear Master of Edinburgh Madam |
Sir Master Madam |
Sons of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons
| Position[a] | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter | Oral address | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke's younger son
(Courtesy) Marquess's younger son |
The Lord John Smith
e.g. The Lord Lord Thomas Fitzalan-Howard (Wife: The Lady John Smith) |
My Lord Dear Lord John (Smith) (Wife: Madam |
My Lord Lord John (Wife: My Lady |
[12] |
| (Courtesy) Earl's younger son
(Courtesy) Viscount's son (Courtesy) Baron's son (Courtesy) Lord of Parliament's son |
The Hon John Smith
e.g. The Hon Ralph Foljambe (Wife: The Hon Mrs John Smith) |
Sir Dear Mr Smith (Wife: Madam |
Sir Mr Smith (Wife: Madam |
Notes:
- The forms also apply to the sons of the given rank in female.
Daughters of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons
If a daughter of a peer or courtesy peer marries another peer or courtesy peer, she takes her husband's rank. If she marries anyone else, she keeps her rank and title, using her husband's surname instead of her maiden name.
| Position[a] | On envelope or invitation | Salutation in letter | Oral address | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke's daughter
(Courtesy) Marquess's daughter (Courtesy) Earl's daughter |
If unmarried:
The Lady Mary Smith e.g. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor If married: The Lady Mary Brown (husband's surname) e.g. The Lady Charlotte Santo Domingo (née Wellesley) |
Madam Dear Lady Mary |
My Lady Lady Mary | |
| (Courtesy) Viscount's daughter
(Courtesy) Baron's daughter (Courtesy) Lord of parliament's daughter |
The Hon Mary Smith (if unmarried)
e.g. The Hon Carol Thatcher The Hon Mrs Brown (husband's surname, if married) e.g. The Hon Mrs Hubbard (née Julia Callaghan) |
Madam Dear Miss Smith Madam |
Madam Miss Smith Madam |
Notes:
- The forms also apply to the daughters of the given rank in female.
Gentry and minor nobility[16]
Baronetage
Knights and Baronets are distinguished by the use of "Bt" (or, archaically, "Bart") after the latter's names (and by the use of the appropriate post-nominal letters if the former are members of an Order of Chivalry).
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baronet | Sir John Smith, Bt (or Bart) | Sir or Dear Sir John (Smith) | Sir or Sir John |
| Baronetess in her own right | Dame Mary Smith, Btss | Madam or Dear Dame Mary (Smith) | Madam or Dame Mary |
| Baronet's wife | Lady Brown | Madam or Dear Lady Smith | My Lady or Lady Smith |
| Baronet's divorced wife | Mary, Lady Brown | ||
| Baronet's widow | Mary, Lady Brown Dowager Lady Brown, or Lady Brown (if the heir incumbent is unmarried) |
Scottish barons (nobility title)
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baron | (The Much Hon) John Smith, or
(The Much Hon) John Smith, Baron of Edinburgh or |
Sir or Dear Edinburgh or Dear Baron | Edinburgh or Baron |
| Baroness or Baron's wife | As baron, substituting "Madam" for first name and substituting "Baroness" for "Baron", or Lady Edinburgh[18] | Madam or Dear Baroness or Dear Lady Edinburgh | Madam or Baroness or Lady Edinburgh |
Knightage
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight (of any order) | Sir John Smith | Sir or Dear Sir John (Smith) | Sir or Sir John |
| Lady (of the Order of the Garter or the Thistle) | Lady Mary Brown | Madam or Dear Lady Mary (Smith) | My Lady or Lady Mary |
| Dame (of an order other than the Garter or the Thistle) | Dame Mary Brown | Madam or Dear Dame Mary (Smith) | Madam or Dame Mary |
| Knight's wife | Lady Smith | Madam or Dear Lady Smith | My Lady or Lady Smith |
Seigneurs of Fiefs
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feudal Fief Seigneur | The Much Hon John Smith of Fief de Sausmarez or The Much Hon John Smith, Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez or The Much Hon Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez [17] | Sir or Dear Sausmarez or Dear Sieur | Sausmarez or Seigneur or Abbreviated Sieur (Sgr.) |
| Female Feudal Dame of a Fief or Feudal Seigneur's wife | As feudal Seigneur, substituting "Madam" for first name and substituting "Dame" for "Seigneur", or Dame Sausmarez | Madam or Dear Dame or Dear Dame of Sausmarez | Madam or Sausmarez or Dame Sausmarez |
Chiefs, chieftains and lairds
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief, chieftain or laird (Only lairds recognised in a territorial designation by the Lord Lyon) | John Smith of Smith or John Smith of Edinburgh or John Smith of that Ilk or The Smith of Smith or The Smith of Edinburgh or The Smith[a] (only the 2nd form of address above applies to lairds) | Sir or Dear Edinburgh (if placename in title) or Dear Smith (otherwise) | Edinburgh (if placename in title) or Smith (otherwise) |
| Female Chief, chieftain or laird or Chief, chieftain or laird's wife | Chief, chieftain or laird's wife, substituting "Madam" or "Mrs" for first name or "The" or Lady Edinburgh[19][20][21] | Madam or as on envelope | Madam or as on envelope |
| Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent | John Smith of Edinburgh, yr or John Smith, yr of Edinburgh or John Smith of Edinburgh (last only if different first name to father) | Sir or Dear Younger of Edinburgh or Dear Mr Smith of Edinburgh | Sir or Young Edinburgh or The Younger of Edinburgh |
| Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent's wife | Mrs Smith of Edinburgh, yr or Mrs Smith, yr of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Mrs Smith of Edinburgh the Younger | Madam or Mrs Smith of Edinburgh |
| Chief (etc.)'s eldest daughter (if none senior) | Miss Smith of Edinburgh or Jane Smith, Maid of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh or Dear Maid of Edinburgh | Madam or Miss Smith of Edinburgh or Maid of Edinburgh |
| Chief (etc.)'s younger daughter | Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh | Madam or Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
Clergy
Church of England
Similar styles are also applied to clergy of equivalent status in other religious organisations. The words clergy and cleric/clerk are derived from the proper term for bishops, priests and deacons still used in legal documents: Clerk in Holy Orders (e.g. "Vivienne Frances Faull, Clerk in Holy Orders").
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop | The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury/York | Dear Archbishop | Your Grace or Archbishop |
| Diocesan bishop in Privy Council | The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Bishop of London | Dear Bishop | My Lord or Bishop |
| Bishop, diocesan or suffragan | The Rt Revd The Lord Bishop of Durham | Dear Bishop | My Lord or Bishop |
| Dean | The Very Revd The Dean of York | Dear Mr/Madam Dean | Dean or Mr/Madam Dean |
| Archdeacon | The Ven The Archdeacon of London | Dear Archdeacon | Archdeacon |
| Prebendary | The Revd Prebendary Smith | Dear Prebendary Smith | Prebend |
| Canon | The Revd Canon John Smith | Dear Canon | Canon |
| Priest | The Revd John Smith | Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith | Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or Vicar/Rector/Prebendary/Curate/Chaplain etc. as applicable |
| Deacon | The Revd Deacon John Smith or The Revd John Smith | Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or Dear Deacon Smith | Deacon Smith or Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith |
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, as a Presbyterian church, recognizes state-awarded titles only as courtesy. In court (assembly, presbytery and session) a person may only be addressed as Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Prof, etc. depending on academic achievement. Thus ministers are correctly addressed as, for example, Mr Smith or Mrs Smith unless they have a higher degree or academic appointment e.g. Dr Smith or Prof. Smith. It is 'infra dig' to use the style 'Rev' and even the use of 'the Rev Mr' requires sensitivity to official style.
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly | His Grace The Lord High Commissioner | Your Grace | Your Grace or Sir/Ma'am |
| Clergy | The Rev John Smith | Dear Mr Smith | Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc. |
| Current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland | The Right Rev John Smith | Dear Mr Smith | Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc. |
| Former Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland | The Very Rev John Smith | Dear Mr Smith | Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc. |
Judiciary
United Kingdom
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage | The Right Honourable The Lord Smith | Lord Smith | Lord Smith | My Lord[22] |
| Male Justice of the Supreme Court | The Right Honourable Lord Smith | Lord Smith | Lord Smith | My Lord[22] |
| Female Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage | The Right Honourable The Lady Smith | Lady Smith | Lady Smith | My Lady[22] |
| Female Justice of the Supreme Court | The Right Honourable Lady Smith | Lady Smith | Lady Smith | My Lady[22] |
England and Wales
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Chief Justice | The Rt Hon the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales | Lord Chief Justice | Lord Chief Justice | My Lord[23] |
| Male Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon Lord Justice (John) Smith | Lord Justice | Lord Justice | My Lord |
| Retired male Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon Sir John Smith | Judge or Sir John | Sir John | My Lord |
| Female Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon Lady Justice (Mary) Smith, DBE | Lady Justice | Lady Justice | My Lady |
| Retired female Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon Dame Mary Smith, DBE | Judge or Dame Mary | Dame Mary | My Lady |
| Male High Court judge | The Hon. Mr Justice (John) Smith | Judge | Judge | My Lord |
| Retired male High Court judge | Sir John Smith | Judge or Sir John | Sir John | My Lord |
| Female High Court judge | The Hon. Mrs Justice (Mary) Smith, DBE | Judge | Judge | My Lady |
| Retired female High Court judge | Dame Mary Smith, DBE | Judge or Dame Mary | Dame Mary | My Lady |
| High Court Master | Master (John) Smith (QC should be added if applicable) | Master | Master[b] | Master[b] |
| Insolvency and Companies Court Judge | Insolvency and Companies Court Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Judge |
| Circuit judge[c] | His Honour Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Your Honour |
| Recorder | Mr (or Mrs) Recorder Smith (QC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Your Honour |
| District judge | District Judge (John) Smith (QC, if applicable) | Judge | Sir or Madam | Sir or Madam |
| Justice of the Peace/Magistrate | Mr John Smith, JP | Mr Smith | Mr Smith or (if "Chair/Lead") Sir or Madam[24][25] | Sir or Madam (if 'Chair/Lead') or Your Worship[26][27][28] |
| Chancellor of a Diocese (Ecclesiastical) | The Worshipful Mr (or Mrs) Smith (QC, if applicable) | Chancellor | Chancellor | Your Worship |
A judge's first name only forms part of their judicial style if, at the time of their appointment, there is a senior judge with the same or a similar surname. Thus, if there is a "Mr Justice Smith", subsequent judges will be "Mr Justice John Smith", "Mrs Justice Mary Smith", etc. High Court Judges and above who are Queen's Counsel do not use the post-nominal letters following appointment or after retirement.
A member of the Bar (but not a solicitor) addresses a circuit judge or higher, out of court, as "Judge".
Scotland
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland | The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland | Lord President/Lord Justice General | Lord President/Lord Justice General | My Lord/Lady |
| Lord Justice Clerk | The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord Justice Clerk | Lord Justice Clerk | Lord Justice Clerk | My Lord/Lady |
| Senator of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court | The Hon./Rt Hon. (the) Lord/Lady Smith | Lord/Lady Smith | Lord/Lady Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Sheriff principal | Sheriff Principal Smith (QC should be added where applicable) | Sheriff Principal Smith | Sheriff Principal Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Sheriff | Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) | Sheriff Smith | Sheriff Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Summary sheriff | Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) | Sheriff Smith | Sheriff Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Justice of the Peace | Mr John/Mrs Mary Smith | Mr/Mrs Smith | Mr/Mrs Smith | Your Honour[29] |
Academics
The forms of address used for academics can, in most cases, be either formal or social.[30][31]
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In conversation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor (formal) | The Chancellor of [university name] | Dear Chancellor | Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name and title | The Chancellor or by name |
| Chancellor (social) | [Name].[d] Chancellor of [university name] | By name | By name or Chancellor | The Chancellor or by name |
| Vice-Chancellor (formal) | The Vice-Chancellor of [university name][e] | Dear Sir/Madam/Vice-Chancellor | Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name | The Vice-Chancellor or by name |
| Vice-Chancellor (social) | [Name],[f] Vice-Chancellor of [university name] | By name or Dear Vice-Chancellor | Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name | The Vice-Chancellor or by name |
| Professor (formal) | Professor Jane Smith[g] | Dear Sir/Madam | Professor Smith | Professor Smith |
| Professor (social) | Professor Jane Smith | Dear Professor Smith | Professor Smith | Professor Smith |
| Doctor (formal)[h] | Dr Jane Smith or The Revd John Smith DD or Susan Brown MD or Tom Brown PhD, etc.[i] | Dear Sir/Madam | Dr Smith | Dr Smith |
| Doctor (social)[h] | Dr Jane Smith | Dear Dr Smith | Dr Smith | Dr Smith |
See also
Notes
- The exact form of a Scottish chief's style varies from family to family, and is generally based on tradition rather than formal rules.
- "Master" is used as the form of address whether the High Court Master is male or female.
- Some circuit judges – for example, the Recorder of Liverpool or circuit judges sitting in the Central Criminal Court – are addressed in court as "My Lord" or "My Lady".
- This is the full name and title as it would be according to the rules elsewhere on this page, e.g. The Viscount London, Sir John Smith, KBE, Professor Jane Doe, Dr Tom Brown.
- Check official title for the university concerned: The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor (Oxford) The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor (Cambridge), The Vice-Chancellor and Warden (Durham), The President and Provost (UCL), etc.
- Title
- If a professor holds an ecclesiastical rank this, strictly speaking, supersedes the academic rank. However, the academic style may still be used within academia and the two can be combined, e.g. as The Reverend Professor Jane Smith. If a professor holds a peerage or a knighthood, this title can be combined, e.g. Professor Lord Smith, Professor Sir John Smith, Professor Dame Jane Smith.
- The forms off address for a doctor applies to "the recipient of a doctorate conferred by a university or other body, such as the Council for National Academic Awards", not just those working in academia. The exception is surgeons, who are never addressed as Doctor even if they hold a doctorate.
- Doctorates in divinity and medicine are always given as letters after the name, and this form may optionally be used for doctorates in other faculties. If "Dr" is used before the name, degrees are not given after it.