The term “Justiciarius Regni” translates to “Justice of the Realm” or “Justice of the King’s Court” in Latin. During medieval England, the king appointed high-ranking judicial officers known as Justiciarius Regni to manage and administer justice throughout the kingdom. This office evolved over time, and different individuals held the position at various points in English history.
The Justiciar was a key figure during the Norman and Angevin periods in England. They were responsible for governing the realm in the absence of the king, especially during military campaigns. The Justiciar had significant authority and played a central role in the administration of justice and the enforcement of royal law. Ranulf de Glanvill, who served under King Henry II in the 12th century, is one of the most famous individuals to have held the office of Justiciar. His work, “Tractatus de Legibus et Consuetudinibus Regni Angliae” (Treatise on the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom of England), was a foundational legal text of the time.
As the common law system developed, the role of the Justiciar became more focused on legal and judicial matters by the 13th century. Eventually, the title fell out of use as the English legal system and government evolved.
