A tipstaff is an officer of a court or, in some countries, a law clerk to a judge. The duties of the position vary from country to country. It is also the name of a symbolic rod, which represents the authority of the tipstaff or other officials such as senior police officers.

thumb|Tipstaves (the short [[Club (weapon)|clubs after which the office is named) on display at Bedford Museum]]

History

right|thumb|Police tipstaves in [[West Midlands Police Museum]]

The office of Tipstaff was originally military in nature. The Ordinances for Calais Act 1535 (27 Hen. 8. c. 63) stipulating the personnel required to man the English castle at Calais said that there should be:

The same act also gave instructions for selecting a replacement should a Tippstaff die in service.

This appointment to be confirmed by the Comptroller and Treasurer of the Castle.

The office then seems to have transferred to early forms of law enforcement. In 1555 when Reverend Rowland Taylor was burned at the stake during the reign of Queen Mary I for having religious views that were contrary to those of Lord Chancellor Gardiner, Foxe's Book of Martyrs states that Taylor would have spoken to the people but as soon as he opened his mouth the yeoman of the guard thrust a tipstaff into his mouth, and would in no way permit him to speak. This is also quoted in Five English Reformers by J. C. Ryle.

And by 1570 it has also attained some ceremonial functions, "The Knight Marshall with all hys tippe staves".

By the middle of the nineteenth century the term has transferred to a baton wielded by members of the embryonic police authorities, officers would arrest people by beating them with a tipped staff or stave. The staff was made of wood or metal or both, topped with a crown. The crown, which unscrewed, could be removed to reveal inside the hollow staff a warrant appointing the holder to their position of authority. Some staves were definitely a means of protection and this is where the present day policeman's baton, or truncheon, originates.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

There are currently two tipstaves in England and Wales: one is an officer of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the other an officer of the High Court of England and Wales, appointed under section 27 of the Courts Act 1971. It is the latter to which this section refers.

The High Court tipstaff may appoint three assistants and can call on any constable, bailiff or member of the public to assist in carrying out their duties. Their jurisdiction extends throughout England and Wales. They are authorised to force entry if necessary, and will have a police officer present to prevent breach of the peace. The relevant territorial police force is informed of arrests.

United States

In some states of the United States, a tipstaff is called a tipstave and is responsible for courtroom decorum. Their position is similar to that of a bailiff. The Civil Division of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia employs tipstaves as clerks to the court. The Criminal Trial Division employs tipstaves in positions commonly referred to as court officers.

See also

  • Bailiff
  • Marshal
  • Police
  • Sheriff

References

  • Royal Courts of Justice visitors guide