Sections 7(1),23(3).
I, A.B.,of , in the county of do solemnly declare that I will well and truly serve the Queen’s Majesty *[and also his Royal Highness Duke of Cornwall] in the office of sheriff/under sheriff of the county of and promote Her Majesty’s *[and his Royal Highness’s] profit in all things that belong to my office as far as I legally can or may; I will truly preserve the Queen’s rights *[and the rights of his Royal Highness] and all that belongeth to the Crown *[or Duchy of Cornwall]; I will not assent to decrease, lessen, or conceal the rights of the Queen F1. . .*[or the rights of his Royal Highness, F1. . .]; and whenever I shall have knowledge that the rights of the Crown *[or Duchy] are concealed or withdrawn in any matter or thing I will do my utmost to make them be restored to the Crown *[or Duchy] again; and if I may not do it myself I will inform the Queen *[or his Royal Highness] or some of Her Majesty’s judges thereof; I will not respite or delay to levy the Queen’s debts for any gift promise reward or favour where I may raise the same without great grievance to the debtors; I will do right as well to poor as to rich in all things belonging to my office; I will do no wrong to any man for any gift reward or promise nor for favour or hatred; I will disturb no man’s right, and will truly and faithfully acquit at the Exchequer all those of whom I shall receive any debts or sums or money belonging to the Crown *[or Duchy]; I will take nothing whereby the Queen *[or his Royal Highness] may lose or whereby her *[or his] right may be disturbed injured or delayed; I will truly return and truly serve all the Queen’s writs according to the best of my skill and knowledge; [I will take no bailiffs into my service but such as I will answer for;]†I will truly set and return reasonable and due issues of them that be within my bailiwick according to their estate and circumstances, and make due pannels of persons able and sufficient and not suspected or procured as is appointed by the statutes of this realm; [I have not sold or let to farm, nor contracted for, nor have I granted or promised for reward or benefit, nor will I sell or let to farm nor contract for or grant for reward or benefit by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly my sheriffwick or any bailiwick thereof or any office belonging thereunto or the profits of the same to any person or persons whatsoever;]††I will truly and diligently execute the good laws and statutes of this realm, and in all things well and truly behave myself in my office for the honour of the Queen *[and his Royal Highness] and the good of her subjects, and discharge the same according to the best of my skill and power.
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1978 (c. 45), s. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. XII
*The words within square brackets to be added in case of the Duchy of Cornwall.†In the case of under-sheriffs, omit the words between brackets.††In the case of under-sheriffs, omit the words between brackets, and say: [“I have not bought purchased or taken to farm or contracted for nor have I promised or given any consideration nor will I buy purchase or take to farm or contract for promise or give any consideration whatsoever by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly to any person whomsoever for the office of under-sheriff of the county of which I am now to enter upon and enjoy, nor for the profits of the same nor for any bailiwick thereof or any other place or office belonging thereunto; I have not sold nor contracted for or let to farm, nor have I granted or promised for reward or benefit by myself or any other person for me or for my use directly or indirectly any bailiwick thereof or any other place or office belonging thereunto.”]
Section 26
I, A.B.,do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare that I will not use or exercise the office of corruptly during the time that I shall remain therein F2. . .
Textual Amendments
F2Words repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. I