Tipstaff

The Tipstaff has two different meanings, both somewhat related

Contents

1 Staff
2 Position

2.1 United Kingdom
2.2 United States

3 See also
4 External links

Staff

The Tipstaff itself is a truncheon or rod. Historically it was hollow at one end so that the warrant of authority (the forerunner of all Warrant Cards or Police ID badges) which gave the policeman his authority could be contained inside. Examples remain at the Metropolitan Police museum in London and vary depending on the type and rank of officer. These tipstaves were first carried in the late 1700's and early 1800's. When detectives (in plain clothes) were first authorised the tipstaves issued to plain clothes officers from 1867 were re-issued in 1870 engraved "Metropolitan Police officer in plain clothes".

Position

United Kingdom

The Tipstaff is the title of an official (and also, therefore, an office) of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales and in the courts of Northern Ireland as well as the Courts of Australia. In Australia and Northern Ireland the Tipstaff role is varied. Traditionally it involved responsibilities such as organising court matters and running minor errands for a judge. Today the role is more varied, and may involve tasks such as legal research assistance for a judge, and assistance in preparation and proofing of judgements. It is not uncommon for recently graduated law students in Australia to work as Tipstaff.

The role of the Tipstaff in England and Wales is more senior and is, in summary, to deliver persons to the court, prison or elsewhere as ordered by a judge of the High Court.

The Tipstaff is therefore involved in child abduction cases and mental health cases, usually to deliver the child or patient to safety. He is also involved in Contempt of Court, or other situations where a Bench Warrant has been issued for the arrest of any person and otherwise as directed by the court.

In child abduction cases, there may be a 'seek and locate' order backed by a Bench Warrant ordering any person with knowledge of the child to give that information to the Tipstaff or his deputy or assistants. Related orders may require the alleged abductor to hand his passport and other travel documents to the Tipstaff, and order the Tipstaff to take the child and deliver him/her to a designated place. There may also be a 'port alert' executed by the Tipstaff, to help prevent the child being taken abroad.

In the case of children who have been declared a ward of court i.e. cases where the court is acting in loco parentis the Tipstaff has a role in ensuring that those children are delivered to the locations specified by the court.

The tipstaff gets a mention in literature: there is a reference to the Tipstaff in The Pickwick Papers and the Aubrey–Maturin series.

United States

In some states of the United States, the Tipstaff is called a Tipstave and is responsible for courtroom decorum. His position is similar to that of a bailiff.

External links

A court case showing the role of the Tipstaff in protecting a child from being abducted: http://www.courtservice.gov.uk/View.do?id=2389