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''The Honourable'' (
British English British English (BrE, en-GB, or BE) is, according to Lexico, Oxford Dictionaries, "English language, English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere". More narrowly, it can refer specifically to the English language in ...
) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an
honorific An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an honorary academic title. It ...
style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...
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 The Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo consists of two chambers: *The Senate (Upper Chamber) *The National Assembly ( Lower Chamber) The most recent Parliament was inaugurated on January 28, 2019. History By 28 May 2021, 32 ...
. Informally, senators are sometimes given the higher style of 'Venerable'.


Ghana

The style of Honourable is accorded members of parliament in
Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
. 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. 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 The Most Distinguished Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean is the highest distinct order of merit in the honours system of Mauritius established under the National Awards Act 1993. It was founded in 1992 to decorate people who have mad ...
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 The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is South Africa's legislature; under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces. The current twenty-seve ...
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 The Supreme Court of Korea () is the highest ordinary court in the judicial branch of South Korea, seated in Seocho, Seoul. Established under Chapter 5 of the Constitution of South Korea, the Court has ultimate and comprehensive jurisdicti ...
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, 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 * Judges of the
Court of First Instance A court is any person or institution, often as a government institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accorda ...
* Individuals who have been awarded the
Grand Bauhinia Medal The Grand Bauhinia Medal () is the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system; it is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the ...
, 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 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (; pt, Chefe do Executivo da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau) is the head of government of Macau, a special administrative region of China. The position replaced the o ...
* Members, including the President, of the
Legislative Assembly of Macau The Legislative Assembly of the Macau Special Administrative Region (; ) is the organ of the legislative branch of Macau. It is a 33-member body comprising 14 directly elected members, 12 indirectly elected members representing functional co ...
* Members of the Executive Council * The
Secretariat for Administration and Justice (Macau) The Secretariat for Administration and Justice ( zh, 行政法務司; pt, Secretaria para a Administração e Justiça) is the most senior cabinet role and key departments in the Government of Macau. When the Chief Executive is on leave, the Secr ...
, the
Secretariat for Economy and Finance (Macau) The Secretariat for Economy and Finance (; pt, Secretariado para a Economia e Finanças) is a department of the Macau Government. The Secretariat is responsible for economic, financial and labour affairs in Macau Macau or Macao (; ; ; ) ...
, and other Principal officials * Judges of the Court of Final Appeal * Individuals who have been awarded the Grand Medal of Lotus Flower, 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
religious Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatur ...
with the exceptions of priests and abbesses, who are ' reverend'. A subdeacon is 'very honourable'; a deacon is '
right honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'.


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 or Senate of the Republic. Former members of parliament can maintain the style.


Malta

All members of the unicameral
Parliament of Malta The Parliament of Malta ( mt, Il-Parlament ta' Malta) is the constitutional legislative body in Malta, located in Valletta. The parliament is unicameral, with a democratically elected House of Representatives and the President of Malta. By const ...
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 The Generalitat de Catalunya (; oc, label= Aranese, Generalitat de Catalonha; es, Generalidad de Cataluña), or the Government of Catalonia, is the institutional system by which Catalonia politically organizes its self-government. It is formed ...
''). 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.


United Kingdom


=Entitlement

= In the United Kingdom, all sons and daughters of viscounts and barons (including the holders of
life peerage In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. In modern times, life peerages, always created at the rank of baron, are created under the Life Peerages A ...
s) and the younger sons of earls are styled with this prefix. (The daughters and younger sons of dukes and marquesses 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 senates) where the legislature is bicameral. Several corporate entities have been awarded the style by royal warrant, for example: * The Honourable East India Company; * The
Honourable Artillery Company The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is a reserve regiment in the British Army. Incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, it is the oldest regiment in the British Army and is considered the second-oldest military unit in the w ...
; * The four
Inns of Court The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. There are four Inns of Court – Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. All barristers must belong to one of them. They have ...
(for example The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple) * The
Honourable Company of Master Mariners The Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. While the other Livery Companies are entitled to the style '' Worshipful'', the Master Mariners are styled ''Honourable'', King George V having gran ...
* 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'' 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, 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' barristers 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 ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'' this is used instead of ''honourable''. In the Falkland Islands, the style ''the honourable'' is given to any serving or former
members Member may refer to: * Military jury, referred to as "Members" in military jargon * Element (mathematics), an object that belongs to a mathematical set * In object-oriented programming, a member of a class ** Field (computer science), entries in ...
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 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) * Lieutenant governors * Members of the
Executive Council of Nova Scotia The Executive Council of Nova Scotia (informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of Nova Scotia) is the cabinet of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Almost always made up of members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, the Cabinet is sim ...
(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 * 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 leader {{Politics of Canada In Canada, each political party with representation in the House of Commons has a House Leader who is a front bench Member of Parliament (MP) and an expert in parliamentary procedure. The same representation is found in the pr ...
s of provinces and territories * Territorial commissioners * Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada * 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 The Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada (CMAC) (french: Cour d'appel de la cour martiale du Canada) hears appeals from Courts-martial of Canada (" courts martial"). In Canada, courts martial are presided over by independent military judges fro ...
* 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. 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 Edgar Peter Lougheed ( ; July 26, 1928 – September 13, 2012) was a Canadian lawyer and Progressive Conservative politician who served as the tenth premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985, presiding over a period of reform and economic growth. Bo ...
, Bill Davis, Joey Smallwood 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 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,
prime ministers A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is no ...
, chief justices and certain other eminent persons use the style of ''
Right Honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'' 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 The Executive Council of Quebec (in French, ''le Conseil exécutif du Québec'', but informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of Quebec and in French: ''le Conseil des ministres'') is the cabinet of the government of Quebec, Canada. Usually made u ...
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 The Order of the Caribbean Community is an award given to The award was initiated at the Eighth (8th) Conference of Heads of State and Governments of CARICOM in 1987 and began bestowal in 1992. Decisions as to award are taken by the Advisory Co ...
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 are styled "Senator". Companions of Honour of the former
Order of Barbados The Order of Barbados is a Order (distinction), national Order of honours and decorations for Barbados. History The first Order of Barbados was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 25 July 1980. With Barbados becoming a republ ...
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 (considered Jamaica's equivalent to a British knighthood) and those awarded the Order of Merit 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, 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 and sub-Cabinet (such as deputies and undersecretaries), administrators, members, and commissioners of the various
independent agencies A regulatory agency (regulatory body, regulator) or independent agency (independent regulatory agency) is a government agency, government authority that is responsible for exercising autonomous dominion over some area of human activity in a licen ...
, councils, commissions, and boards, federal judges,
ambassadors of the United States Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the president to serve as the country's diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as ambassadors-at-large. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S ...
, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshals, the
Architect of the Capitol The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. It is an agency of the legislative branch of the federal government and is ...
, the Librarian of Congress and Public Printer of the United States, and presidentially appointed inspectors general. High state officials other than governor, such as lieutenant governor and
state attorneys general The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states, of the federal district, or of any of the territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney genera ...
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, board of selectmen, planning and zoning commission, and code enforcement board members, or city manager or police chief or
fire chief A fire chief or fire commissioner is a top executive rank or commanding officer in a fire department. Nomenclature Various official English-language titles for a fire chief include ''fire chief'', ''chief fire officer'' and ''fire commissioner' ...
) are given the title; as these may be different state by state. Members of the
White House staff The Executive Office of the President (EOP) comprises the offices and agencies that support the work of the president at the center of the executive branch of the United States federal government. The EOP consists of several offices and agenc ...
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) 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 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 ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
, Queensland,
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
,
Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
,
Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...
and Tasmania (where it did not apply to past governors), as well as the
Administrator of the Northern Territory The Administrator of the Northern Territory is an official appointed by the Governor-General of Australia to represent the government of the Commonwealth in the Northern Territory, Australia. They perform functions similar to those of a state gov ...
.


=Government ministers

= In Australia, all ministers in Commonwealth and state governments and the government of the
Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Aust ...
are entitled to be styled ''the Honourable''. The Australian Capital Territory does not have an executive council 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 premiers 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 ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
,
Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
,
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
and Tasmania. In
Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...
, the practice was abolished in 2003. In New South Wales,
Greens NSW The Greens NSW, also known as the NSW Greens, is a green political party in New South Wales and a member of the Australian Greens. First formed in 1991, the Greens NSW began as a state-level party before joining with other green parties in Austr ...
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 courts 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, 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 House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
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 ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific Style (form of address), style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth ...
''. 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 as a courtesy when they vacate the office; all honours and awards are published in '' The New Zealand Gazette''.


South Asia


Bangladesh

In
People's Republic of Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
, 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 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, the honorific ''The Honourable'' is used to refer to the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament.
Attorney-General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
and Solicitor-General as well as Judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Courts.


Southeast Asia


Malaysia

In
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
, an elected Member of Parliament or State Legislative Assemblyman is entitled to be referred to as , which translates to 'the honourable'.


Myanmar

In Myanmar, the Chief Justice and Justices of the
Supreme Court of Myanmar The Supreme Court of Myanmar ( my, ပြည်ထောင်စုတရားလွှတ်တော်ချုပ်) is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal under the Constitution of Myanmar, existing as an independent ju ...
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 A barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as barrio (abbreviated as Bo.), is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolita ...
'', to the Congress of the Philippines, which consists of the Senate and
House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
. Appointed officials such as members of the Cabinet (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 A barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as barrio (abbreviated as Bo.), is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolita ...
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, Justices of the Supreme Court,
Sandiganbayan The Sandiganbayan ( en, Support of the Nation) is a special appellate collegial court in the Philippines that has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and other offenses committed by public office ...
, 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, 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 A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is no ...
and current
Members of the Singapore Parliament The following are lists of members of parliament in Singapore: * 1st Parliament of Singapore#Members, 1965 * 2nd Parliament of Singapore#Members, 1968 * 3rd Parliament of Singapore#Members, 1972 * 4th Parliament of Singapore#Members, 1977 * 5t ...
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 Wong Kan Seng ( zh, s=黄根成, j=Wong4 Gan1 Sing4, poj=N̂g Kun-sêng, p=Huáng Gēnchéng; born 8 September 1946) is a Singaporean former politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 2005 and 2011. He has been serving ...
, 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 In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
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 Right Honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific Style (form of address), style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth ...
* The Much Honoured * Worship (style)


References


External links


Caricom.org




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