master of the rolls: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, legal, historical, governmental
Quick answer
What does “master of the rolls” mean?
A senior judicial official in England and Wales who presides over the Court of Appeal's Civil Division and has administrative responsibility for the records of the Chancery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A senior judicial official in England and Wales who presides over the Court of Appeal's Civil Division and has administrative responsibility for the records of the Chancery.
The title refers to the head of the Public Record Office historically, now primarily a senior appellate judge second in rank to the Lord Chief Justice. The role originally involved custody of parchment rolls containing court records.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The title and office are unique to the legal system of England and Wales. The United States has no direct equivalent judicial position, though the 'Master of the Rolls' may be referenced in historical or comparative legal contexts.
Connotations
Conveys immense seniority, tradition, and authority within the British legal establishment. It carries historical weight dating back to at least the 13th century.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Exclusively encountered in legal, governmental, historical, or high-level news contexts related to the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “master of the rolls” in a Sentence
[The] Master of the Rolls [verb]...[Appointed as] Master of the Rolls[To appear before] the Master of the RollsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “master of the rolls” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The judge was appointed to master the rolls of the Court of Appeal. (Rare, hypothetical use)
American English
- The archivist was tasked with mastering the rolls of the colonial court. (Historical)
adjective
British English
- The Master-of-the-Rolls position is one of great antiquity.
American English
- A Master-of-the-Rolls equivalent does not exist in the U.S. federal system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential reference in high-level corporate litigation reports from London.
Academic
Used in law, history, and political science papers discussing the British judiciary, constitutional history, or comparative legal systems.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in news headlines regarding major court rulings or judicial appointments.
Technical
Core term in English legal practice, court reporting, and constitutional documentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “master of the rolls”
- Not capitalizing the title ('master of the rolls').
- Omitting the definite article ('Master of Rolls').
- Misunderstanding it as a minor or clerical role rather than a senior judicial one.
- Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Master of the Rolls is a senior judge. While appointed by the monarch on advice of the Prime Minister, the role is strictly judicial and non-political.
Yes. The title is traditional and gender-specific in wording, but the office has been held by women. Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss served as President of the Family Division, a similarly senior role, and future appointees to the Master of the Rolls are not restricted by gender.
No, the day-to-day custody of physical records is handled by The National Archives. The title is now purely judicial, reflecting its historical origins.
The Lord Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary of England and Wales and President of the Courts of England and Wales. The Master of the Rolls is the head of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal and is second in seniority.
A senior judicial official in England and Wales who presides over the Court of Appeal's Civil Division and has administrative responsibility for the records of the Chancery.
Master of the rolls is usually formal, legal, historical, governmental in register.
Master of the rolls: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːstər əv ðə ˈrəʊlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmæstər əv ðə ˈroʊlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keeper of the Rolls (archaic synonym)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a master baker in charge of the most important rolls (records) in the kingdom's legal kitchen (courts).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS A RECORD-KEEPING INSTITUTION (from the historical function of guarding the rolls/parchments of court rulings).
Practice
Quiz
What was the original, historical function of the Master of the Rolls?