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''The Honourable'' ( British English) or ''The Honorable'' (
American English American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of variety (linguistics), varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the Languages of the United States, most widely spoken lan ...
; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certain people, usually with official governmental or diplomatic positions.


Use by governments


International diplomacy

In international diplomatic relations, representatives of foreign states are often styled as ''The Honourable''. Deputy chiefs of mission, , consuls-general and consuls are always given the style. All heads of consular posts, whether they are honorary or career postholders, are accorded the style according to the State Department of the United States. However, the style '' Excellency'' instead of ''The Honourable'' is used for ambassadors and high commissioners.


Africa


The Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the prefix 'Honourable' or 'Hon.' is used for members of both chambers of the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Informally, senators are sometimes given the higher style of 'Venerable'.


Ghana

The style of Honourable is accorded members of parliament in Ghana. It is also extended to certain grades of Royal Orders awarded by Ghana's sub-national Kingdoms.


Kenya

The style Honourable is used to address members of the
Kenyan parliament The National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya is one of the two Houses of the Parliament of Kenya. Between 1966 and 2013, it served as a unicameral house. In 2013 ( 11th Parliament), it became the lower house when the Senate was reestablish ...
. Traditionally, members of Parliament are not allowed to call each other by name in the chambers, but rather use the terms "Honourable colleague" or "Honorable Member for ...". The written form is ''Hon. ast Name irst Name' or ''Honourable ast Name' or ''Honourable'' osition(e.g. ''Honourable Speaker'').


Mauritius

Recipients of the rank of Grand Officer or above of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean and persons knighted by Queen Elizabeth II are automatically entitled to prefix ''The Hon'', ''Hons'' or ''The Honourable'' to their name. Commanders and Officers may request permission from the President to use this prefix. Recipients of the order who are not Mauritian citizens may not use the prefix or post-nominals unless granted permission by the President.


South Africa

All members of the South African parliament and the nine provincial legislatures are entitled to this prefix.


East Asia


South Korea

In South Korea, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people: * Ministrial Members of Cabinet of Korea * Leaders and Floor Leaders of Parties and Members of Shadow Cabinet. * Governors and Ministrial members of Provinces * Mayors of Metropolitan Cities * Judges at Supreme Court of Korea and Chief Justices of Provincial Level Courts.


China


=Hong Kong

= In Hong Kong, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people: * The Chief Executive of Hong Kong * Members, including the President, of the Legislative Council * Members of the
Executive Council Executive Council may refer to: Government * Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ that exercises executive power and advises the governor * Executive Council of Bern, the government of the Swiss canton of Bern * Ex ...
, including official members such as the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, and other secretaries of bureaux * Judges of the Court of Final Appeal * Justices of Appeal of the
Court of Appeal A court of appeals, also called a court of appeal, appellate court, appeal court, court of second instance or second instance court, is any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal. In much of t ...
* Judges of the Court of First Instance * Individuals who have been awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the highest medal in Hong Kong's honours system. * Deceased heroes (29 to date) who served in any of the disciplined services under the Security Bureau


=Macau

= In Macau, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used occasionally for the following people: * Chief Executive of Macau * Members, including the President, of the Legislative Assembly of Macau * Members of the
Executive Council Executive Council may refer to: Government * Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ that exercises executive power and advises the governor * Executive Council of Bern, the government of the Swiss canton of Bern * Ex ...
* The Secretariat for Administration and Justice (Macau), the Secretariat for Economy and Finance (Macau), and other Principal officials * Judges of the Court of Final Appeal * Individuals who have been awarded the
Grand Medal of Lotus Flower The government of Macau confers honors every year in the form of decorations, medals and honorary titles. Categories The decorations, medals and honorary titles awarded by the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region of China can b ...
, the highest medal in Macau's honours system.


Europe


Germany

A rough equivalent of the style ''Honourable'' would be 'high well-born', which was used until 1918 for all members of noble families not having any higher style. Its application to bourgeois dignitaries became common in the 19th century, though it has faded since and was always of doubtful correctness. or , the literal translation of 'honourable', is used for Catholic clergy and religiouswith the exceptions of priests and abbesses, who are '
reverend The Reverend is an style (manner of address), honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and Minister of religion, ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and c ...
'. A subdeacon is 'very honourable'; a deacon is ' right honourable'.


Ireland

In Ireland, all judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are referred to as ''The Honourable Mr/Ms Justice''.


Italy

In Italy, the style ''The Honourable'' ( it, Onorevole, link=no) is customarily used to refer to a member of the
Chamber of Deputies The chamber of deputies is the lower house in many bicameral legislatures and the sole house in some unicameral legislatures. Description Historically, French Chamber of Deputies was the lower house of the French Parliament during the Bourbon R ...
or Senate of the Republic. Former members of parliament can maintain the style.


Malta

All members of the unicameral Parliament of Malta are entitled to this prefix.


The Netherlands

An extensive system of honorifics used to be in place in the Netherlands. In a more formal setting it still is. 'the honourable lord/lady' is used for the genteel bourgeoisie. The middle classes are instead addressed with 'sir/madam', which is the equivalent of ''Mr/Ms'' in English. Also typical is the use of 'the well-born lord/lady', for students at universities, traditionally children of the genteel bourgeoisie. The system adds honorifics based on prestige for military officers based on rank, barristers, prosecutors, judges, members of parliament, government ministers, nobles, clergy, and for academic degrees of master's and above. In the Dutch language, is a formal and academic title, for both men and women, protected by Dutch law, ranking above a doctorate and below a professorship. It stands for 'master', and is strictly reserved for holders of a master's degree in law (LL.M.) who are qualified to practice law. Holders are addressed as 'the well-born lord/lady master', followed by their name.


Spain

In the Spanish Autonomous Community of Catalonia the word Honorable ( Catalan: ''Honorable'') is used for current and former members of the cabinet (''consellers'') of the President of the Catalan Government ('' Generalitat de Catalunya''). Former and current Heads of Government or President of the Generalitat are given the name of ''Molt Honorable'' ("Very Honorable"). This also applies to former and current heads of government of the Autonomous Communities of Valencia and
Balearic Islands The Balearic Islands ( es, Islas Baleares ; or ca, Illes Balears ) are an archipelago in the Balearic Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago is an autonomous community and a province of Spain; its capital is ...
.


United Kingdom


=Entitlement

= In the United Kingdom, all sons and daughters of viscounts and
baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...
s (including the holders of life peerages) and the younger sons of earls are styled with this prefix. (The daughters and younger sons of dukes and
marquess A marquess (; french: marquis ), es, marqués, pt, marquês. is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman wi ...
es and the daughters of earls have the higher style of ''Lord'' or ''Lady'' before their first names, and the eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls are known by one of their father's or mother's subsidiary titles.) The style is only a courtesy, however, and on legal documents they may be described as, for instance, ''John Smith, Esq., commonly called The Honourable John Smith''. As the wives of sons of peers share the styles of their husbands, the wives of the sons of viscounts and barons and the younger sons of earls are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs John Smith''. Likewise, the married daughters of viscounts and barons, whose husbands hold no higher title or dignity, are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs Smith''. In 1912, King George V granted maids of honour (royal attendants) the style of ''the honourable'' for life, with precedence next after daughters of barons. ''The honourable'' is also customarily used as a form of address for most foreign nobility that is not formally recognised by the sovereign (e.g. ambassadors) when in the UK. Some people are entitled to the prefix by virtue of their offices. Rules exist that allow certain individuals to keep the prefix ''The Honourable'' even after retirement. * Judges of the High Court and other superior courts in the Commonwealth (if the judge is a knight, the style ''Sir John Smith'' is used socially instead of ''The Honourable Mr Justice Smith''.); and * Members of Commonwealth executive and legislative councils (or
senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
s) where the legislature is
bicameral Bicameralism is a type of legislature, one divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature. Bicameralism is distinguished from unicameralism, in which all members deliberate and vote as a single grou ...
. Several corporate entities have been awarded the style by
royal warrant A royal warrant is a document issued by a monarch which confers rights or privileges on the recipient, or has the effect of law. Royal warrant may refer to: * Royal warrant of appointment, warrant to tradespeople who supply goods or services to a r ...
, for example: * The Honourable East India Company; * The Honourable Artillery Company; * The four Inns of Court (for example
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known simply as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers, the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn an ...
) * The Honourable Company of Master Mariners * The Honourable Company of Air Pilots


=Usage

= The style ''The Honourable'' is usually used in addressing envelopes (where it is usually abbreviated to ''The Hon.'') and formally elsewhere, in which case ''Mr'' or ''
Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentlema ...
'' are omitted. In speech, however, The Honourable John Smith is usually referred to simply as Mr John Smith. In the
House of Commons of the United Kingdom The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the upper house, the House of Lords, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The House of Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 me ...
, as in other traditionally lower houses of Parliament and other legislatures, members must as a minimum refer to each other as ''the honourable member'' or ''my honourable friend'' out of courtesy, but they are not entitled to the style in writing. Members who are 'senior'
barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...
s may be called ''the honourable and learnèd member'', serving or ex-serving members of the military ''the honourable and gallant member'', and ordained clergy in the House ''the honourable and reverend member''; a practice which the Modernisation Committee recommended abolished, but which use has continued. When anyone is entitled to be styled '' Right Honourable'' this is used instead of ''honourable''. In the Falkland Islands, the style ''the honourable'' is given to any serving or former members of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council. In the Isle of Man, the style ''the honourable'' (often abbreviated to ''Hon.'') is used to refer to a
minister Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...
while holding office.


North America


Canada

In Canada, while not always enshrined in legislation, some people are commonly referred to as ''The Honourable'' (french: link=no, l'honorable). Those who have the honorific for life include: * Senators * Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada (mostly members or former members of the federal
Cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
) *
Lieutenant governors A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...
* Members of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia (since 2009) * Members of the Executive Council of Alberta (since 2022) People who have the honorific only while in office include: * The
Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada The speaker of the House of Commons (french: président de la Chambre des communes) is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. A member of Parliament (MP), they are elected at the beginning of each new parliament b ...
* Members of provincial and territorial executive councils (premiers, cabinet ministers and deputy premiers). Some executive councillors (see above) have the honorific for life. * Speakers of provincial and territorial legislatures * Government house leaders of provinces and territories * Territorial commissioners * Justices of the
Supreme Court of Canada The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC; french: Cour suprême du Canada, CSC) is the Supreme court, highest court in the Court system of Canada, judicial system of Canada. It comprises List of Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, nine justices, wh ...
* Justices of the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeals, Tax Court of Canada * Justices of the Court Martial of Canada and Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada * Justices of provincial superior courts (trial and appellate) * Provincial inferior court judges Derivatives include: * The Honourable Mr/Madam Justice — justices of federal courts, provincial appellate and superior courts. * The Honourable Judge — judges of provincial courts and formerly judges of district or county courts. In all cases, the governor general of Canada may grant permission to retain the style after they cease to hold office. Persons eligible to retain the style include the speaker of the House of Commons (who may already be eligible as a privy councillor), territorial commissioners, and judges of certain courts (e.g., the Supreme Court of Canada). The most recent former justice granted such privileges was
Frank Iacobucci Frank Iacobucci (born June 29, 1937) is a former Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1991 until his retirement from the bench in 2004. He was the first Italian-Canadian, allophone judge on the court. Iacobucci was also the fir ...
. It is usual for speakers of the House of Commons to be made privy councillors, in which case they keep the style for life. By custom, the leader of the Official Opposition is appointed to the Privy Council, granting them the style (being the only non-government MP accorded such privilege). In the past, certain provincial premiers (e.g., Peter Lougheed, Bill Davis,
Joey Smallwood Joseph Roberts Smallwood (December 24, 1900 – December 17, 1991) was a Newfoundlander and Canadian politician. He was the main force who brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into Canadian Confederation in 1949, becoming the first premier of ...
and Tommy Douglas) were elevated to the Privy Council and gained the style, but such practice is rare. Members of the
House of Commons of Canada The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The House of Common ...
and of provincial legislatures refer to each other during proceedings of the house with the courtesy style "honourable member" (or ), but their name is not otherwise prefixed with ''the Honourable'' (unless they are privy councillors or executive councillors). Current and former
governors general Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...
, prime ministers, chief justices and certain other eminent persons use the style of '' Right Honourable'' for life (or in French). This was originally subject to being summoned to the British Privy Council. Several early prime ministers were not summoned to the British Privy Council, and hence were styled ''The Honourable'': Alexander Mackenzie, Sir John Abbott and Sir Mackenzie Bowell. Members of the Executive Council of Quebec have not used the style ''The Honourable'' since 1968 but retain the ability to do so, and are often accorded the honorific in media and by the federal government.


The Caribbean


=Caricom

= Members of the Order of the Caribbean Community are entitled to be styled ''The Honourable'' for life.


=Barbados

= In Barbados, members of the Parliament carry two main titles: members of the House of Assembly are styled ''The Honourable'', while members of the
Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
are styled "Senator". Companions of Honour of the former Order of Barbados from the pre-republic era of Barbados, as well Members of the current Order of the Republic, are accorded the style ''The Honourable''.


=Jamaica

= In Jamaica, those awarded the
Order of Jamaica The Order of Jamaica is the fifth of the six orders in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and it is considered the equivalent of a knighthood in the British honours system. Membership in the Order can be conferred upon ...
(considered Jamaica's equivalent to a British knighthood) and those awarded the
Order of Merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...
are styled ''Honourable''.


Trinidad and Tobago

In Trinidad and Tobago The Prime Minister, government ministers, the leader of the opposition and ministers within government ministries (junior ministers) are styled as ''The Honourable'', senators serving as ministers are styled as ''Senator The Honourable'', ministers with doctorates are styled as ''The Honourable Dr. or Dr. the Honourable (rare).''


United States

In the United States, the prefix ''the Honorable'' has been used to formally address various officials at the federal and state levels, but it is most commonly used for the President-elect, governors, judges, and members of Congress when formally addressing them. The style may be conferred pursuant to federal government service, according to federal rules, or by state government service, where the rules may be different. Modifiers such as ''the Right Honorable'' or ''the Most Honorable'' are not used. The 't' in 'the' is not capitalized in the middle of a sentence. Under the rules of etiquette, the President, Vice President, members of both houses of Congress, governors of states, members of
state legislatures A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Stat ...
, and mayors are accorded the title.Mary K. Mewborn
Too Many Honorables?
''Washington Life'' November 1999.
Persons appointed to office nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate are accorded the title; this rule includes members of the
Cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
and sub-Cabinet (such as deputies and undersecretaries), administrators, members, and commissioners of the various independent agencies, councils, commissions, and boards,
federal judges Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state/provincial/local level. United States A US federal judge is appointed by the US President and confirmed by the US Senate in accordance with Article 3 of ...
, ambassadors of the United States,
U.S. Attorneys United States attorneys are officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts. Each U.S. attorney serves as the United States' chief federal c ...
, U.S. Marshals, the Architect of the Capitol, the
Librarian of Congress The Librarian of Congress is the head of the Library of Congress, appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, for a term of ten years. In addition to overseeing the library, the Libra ...
and Public Printer of the United States, and presidentially appointed
inspectors general An inspector general is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is "inspectors general". Australia The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (Australia) (IGIS) is an independent statutory off ...
. High state officials other than governor, such as
lieutenant governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...
and state attorneys general are also accorded the style ''Honorable''. State court judges and justices of the peace, like federal judges, also are accorded the style ''Honorable''. Practices vary on whether appointed state official, such as the heads of state cabinet-level departments are given the title. There is also no universal rule for whether county or city officials other than the mayor (such as city council,
board of aldermen An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members them ...
, board of selectmen, planning and zoning commission, and code enforcement board members, or
city manager A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a "Mayor–council government" council–manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief execu ...
or police chief or fire chief) are given the title; as these may be different state by state. Members of the White House staff at the rank of special assistant, deputy assistant, assistant to the president, and Counselor to the President are accorded the title. Officials nominated to high office but not yet confirmed (e.g., commissioner-designate) and interim or acting officials are generally not accorded the style ''Honorable'', except for cabinet-level officials.Robert Hickey
How to Use the Honorable
(citing Mary Mel French, ''United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette'').
Opinions vary on whether the term ''the Honorable'' is accorded for life. According to the protocols of the U.S. Department of State, all persons who have been in a position that entitled them to ''The Honorable'' continue to retain that honorific style for life. However, the State Department is not an authority on state and local officials such as mayors, members of state legislatures, and high state officials. The prefix is not used for people who have died. Some estimate that in the United States there are nearly 100,000 people who are accorded the "Honorable" title, many in the Washington, D.C. region. Civilian officials, including service secretaries (e.g.,
Secretary of the Army The secretary of the Army (SA or SECARMY) is a senior civilian official within the United States Department of Defense, with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, insta ...
) of the Pentagon receive the title. The style ''The Honorable'' is used on envelopes when referring to an individual in the third person. It is never properly used to refer to oneself. A spouse of someone with the style of ''The Honorable'' receives no additional style.


Oceania


Australia

In Australia, the style is allowed to be used by past and present: * Governors-General and Governors * Members of the Federal Executive Council * Premiers and ministers in all states * Presiding officers of federal and state parliaments (expect ACT lower house speakers) * Members of all state legislative councils except in Victoria * Chief ministers and ministers in the Northern Territory * Leaders of the Opposition in Tasmania * High Court Justices * Federal Court Justices * Family Court of Australia Justices * Justices of the supreme court in states and territories. The abbreviation in Australia is 'The Hon' (without a full stop).


=Governors

= In May 2013, the title was given approval by Queen Elizabeth II to be granted to past, present, and future
Governors-General of Australia The governor-general of Australia is the representative of the monarch, currently King Charles III, in Australia."The title 'the Honourable' for Governors-General"
, ''Australian Government Special Gazette'' C2013G00681, 8 May 2013.
to be used in the form ''His'' or ''Her Excellency the Honourable'' while holding office, and ''The Honourable'' in retirement. By December 2014, the practice of appointing the vice-regal office holder, as well as former living, the style ''The Honourable'' for life had also been adopted for the state governors of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania (where it did not apply to past governors), as well as the Administrator of the Northern Territory.


=Government ministers

= In Australia, all ministers in Commonwealth and state governments and the government of the Northern Territory are entitled to be styled ''the Honourable''. The Australian Capital Territory does not have an
executive council Executive Council may refer to: Government * Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ that exercises executive power and advises the governor * Executive Council of Bern, the government of the Swiss canton of Bern * Ex ...
and so its ministers are not entitled to the style. In Victoria, the style is granted for life, so it is customary for former ministers to retain the style after leaving office. In New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania the
premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
s can advise the King of Australia to grant former ministers the style for life. In the Northern Territory, the chief minister can request the administrator to make a recommendation to the governor-general who in turn makes a recommendation to the Queen. A minimum five years' service as a member of the executive council and/or as a presiding officer is a prerequisite. In Western Australia, conditional on royal assent, the style may become permanent after three years' service in the ministry. All such awards are published in the ''Commonwealth Government Gazette''. The presiding officers of the parliaments of the Commonwealth, the states and the Northern Territory are also styled ''the Honourable'', but normally only during their tenure of office. Special permission is sometimes given for a former presiding officer to retain the style after leaving office, as is the case in the Northern Territory.


=Members of Parliament

= The title ''Honourable'' is not acquired through membership of either the House of Representatives or the Senate (see Parliament of Australia). A member or senator may have the style if they have acquired it separately, e.g. by being a current or former minister. During proceedings within the chambers, forms such as "the honourable member for ...", "the honourable Leader of the Opposition", or "my honourable colleague" are used. This is a parliamentary courtesy and does not imply any right to the style. Traditionally, members of the legislative councils of the states have been styled ''the Honourable'' for the duration of their terms. That practice is still followed in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. In Victoria, the practice was abolished in 2003. In New South Wales, Greens NSW members of the Legislative Council, who are eligible for ''the Honourable'' style, have refrained from using it, deeming it to be "outdated" and a "colonial trapping".


=Judges

= Judges of all
superior court In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general jurisdiction over civil and criminal legal cases. A superior court is "superior" in relation to a court with limited jurisdiction (see small claims court), which is restricted to civil ...
s are also referred to formally by the style ''the Honourable'', both during and after holding the office.


New Zealand

The style ''The Honourable'' was first granted in 1854 for use by members of the
Executive Council Executive Council may refer to: Government * Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ that exercises executive power and advises the governor * Executive Council of Bern, the government of the Swiss canton of Bern * Ex ...
, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Members of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In addition to the standard Commonwealth usage, the Speaker of the House of Representatives was entitled to be referred to as ''The Honourable'' until 2010, when it was announced that sitting and future Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, and Speakers of the House of Representatives would be entitled to be referred to as '' The Right Honourable''. In July 2006 the Governor-General (and former living Governors-General) were granted the use of the title ''The Honourable'' until 2010 when the Governors-General was granted the title ''Right Honourable'' if they did not hold the style already or were a Privy Counsellor. New Zealand office holders who are ''The Honourable'' ex-officio are usually granted the style for life by the
Governor-General Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...
as a courtesy when they vacate the office; all honours and awards are published in ''
The New Zealand Gazette The ''New Zealand Gazette'' ( mi, Te Kāhiti o Aotearoa), commonly referred to as ''Gazette'', is the official newspaper of record (Government gazette) of the New Zealand Government. Published since 1840, it is the longest-running publication ...
''.


South Asia


Bangladesh

In People's Republic of Bangladesh, House Speaker, Ministers, Members of parliaments and Mayors are entitled to the style ''Honourable''. On the other hand, the Prime Minister and the President are styled ''Honourable'' or '' Excellency''.


India

In India, judges of the High Courts of India and
Supreme Court of India The Supreme Court of India ( IAST: ) is the supreme judicial authority of India and is the highest court of the Republic of India under the constitution. It is the most senior constitutional court, has the final decision in all legal matters ...
are addressed as ''Honourable'' ''(''Hon'ble'')''; often stylized and abbreviated as "HMJ", i.e., Honourable Mr/Ms. Justice, followed by their name. The elected legislators and Heads of Government are also formally called ''Honourable'' followed by their name. The vice president is addressed as the hon'ble as well.


Pakistan

In Pakistan, the judicial officers are addressed as honourable while presiding over in the courts of law. It is a norm to address judges of superior judiciary as honourable judges. Diplomats are addressed as Your Excellency. The head of state and Prime Minister is addressed her/his excellency.


Sri Lanka

In
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
, the honorific ''The Honourable'' is used to refer to the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament. Attorney-General and Solicitor-General as well as Judges of the
Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
, the
Court of Appeal A court of appeals, also called a court of appeal, appellate court, appeal court, court of second instance or second instance court, is any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal. In much of t ...
and the
High Courts High may refer to: Science and technology * Height * High (atmospheric), a high-pressure area * High (computability), a quality of a Turing degree, in computability theory * High (tectonics), in geology an area where relative tectonic uplift to ...
.


Southeast Asia


Malaysia

In Malaysia, an elected Member of Parliament or State Legislative Assemblyman is entitled to be referred to as , which translates to 'the honourable'.


Myanmar

In
Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court of Myanmar are referred as 'The Honourable'.


Philippines

In the Philippines, the style is usually used to give distinction to any elected official (whether in office or retired) ranging from the smallest political unit, the '' barangay'', to the Congress of the Philippines, which consists of the
Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
and House of Representatives. Appointed officials such as members of the
Cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
(secretaries, acting secretaries, ad interim secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries), the Solicitor General, and heads of government agencies at the national and local levels are also accorded this style. For example, a '' kagawad'' ( barangay or village council member) named Juan de la Cruz will be referred to as ''The Honorable Juan de la Cruz''. In written form, the style may be shortened to "Hon." (e.g. ''Hon. Juan de la Cruz''). The Vice-President, Chief Justice,
Ombudsman An ombudsman (, also ,), ombud, ombuds, ombudswoman, ombudsperson or public advocate is an official who is usually appointed by the government or by parliament (usually with a significant degree of independence) to investigate complaints and at ...
, Justices of the
Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Appeals, and Trial Court Judges are also addressed in this honorific style. Meanwhile, the President of the Philippines is always given the style His/Her Excellency.


Singapore

The Chief Justice, Judges of Appeal, and Justices of the
Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
, and the Presiding Judge and District Judges of the State Courts are conventionally addressed in formal settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''. All former Prime Ministers and current Members of the Singapore Parliament is formally addressed in international settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''. The use of the honorific ''The Honourable'' to refer to the Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament is not required by the Standing Orders of Parliament, but during a 1988 parliamentary debate the Leader of the House, Wong Kan Seng, said it would be polite for MPs to refer to their colleagues using the terms "Mr.", "Honourable Mr." or "Honourable Minister" depending on their choice. The honorific is usually also used to address the Attorney-General and Solicitors-General, and the heads of states and leaders of foreign countries on short-term visits to Singapore.See, for example, : "''The Honourable'' Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, …".


Non-governmental use

Private, non-profit, and non-governmental (NGO) organisations, and religious movements sometimes style a leader or founder as ''The Honourable'', e.g. ''The Honourable Elijah Muhammad''.


See also

* Honour (style) * Honorary degree (also uses the abbreviation "Hon" in front of that of the degree, e.g. Hon DLitt) *
The Most Honourable The honorific prefix "The Most Honourable" is a form of address that is used in several countries. In the United Kingdom, it precedes the name of a marquess or marchioness. Overview In Jamaica, Governors-General of Jamaica, as well as their spo ...
* The Right Honourable * The Much Honoured * Worship (style)


References


External links


Caricom.org




{{DEFAULTSORT:Honourable, The Styles (forms of address)