Define: Privy Council

The Privy Council is a historic institution in the United Kingdom that serves as a formal advisory body to the monarch. Composed of senior politicians, members of the royal family, and other distinguished individuals, the Privy Council advises the sovereign on matters of state and government. Additionally, it acts as the highest court of appeal for certain Commonwealth countries and British Overseas Territories, hearing cases on constitutional, civil, and criminal matters. While its role in the United Kingdom has evolved over time, the Privy Council continues to play a significant role in advising the monarchy and administering justice in the Commonwealth.

A body which advises the monarch on points of law. The UK privy council has a Judicial Committee which is composed of the present Lord Chancellor, all past Lord Chancellors, (see: Lord Chancellor), judges of the Court of Appeal (see: Court of Appeal), and certain Commonwealth judges. The Council does not issue judgements but advises the monarch. The monarch can then make an Order in Council to settle the issue in question (see: Order in council). Few UK issues are resolved by the Council — the most frequent are appeals from tribunals of professional bodies — but a number of Commonwealth and British colonial territories have retained it as an appellate court (see: Appellate Court).

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.