The Ordinances set out the foundations on which the Company is run. The original Ordinances were dated 17th January 1532 and were updated on 2nd July 1587 and 18th April 1639. Since a number of them had fallen into disuse they were revised in 1984.
The principal provisions of the 1984 Ordinances are as follows:
1. The Company shall consist of a Master, Wardens, Assistants, Liverymen and Freemen.
2. The Company's affairs shall be directed by a Court comprising Master, four Wardens and not fewer than ten Assistants.
3. The Master and Wardens shall be elected at an Election Court each June and take office at the Installation Court in July.
4. The Master must have been a Warden and can only serve once.
5. Wardens may be Assistants or senior members of the Livery.
6. Additional Assistants may be elected as required.
7. Liverymen may be elected from the Freedom without restriction as to number or frequency.
8. Freedom of the Company shall be by Patrimony, Patrimonial Redemption, Redemption and Presentation.
9. The Court may determine the appropriate fees, subscriptions and contributions as it deems fit.
10. The Company's annual accounts shall be audited.
In addition, the Ordinances contain the texts of various declarations, provisions for replacements, removal of members etc.
Altering the Ordinances is a complicated legal procedure requiring the consent of, amongst others, the Privy Council. Accordingly, revisions are sought only very infrequently.
View or download a copy of the Company’s 1984 Ordinances >>