The Court of Aldermen forms part of the senior governance of the City of London Corporation. It comprises twenty-five Aldermen of the City of London, presided over by the Lord Mayor. The Court was originally responsible for the entire administration of the City, but most of its responsibilities were subsumed by the Court of Common Council in the fourteenth century. The Court of Aldermen meets seven times a year in the Aldermen's Court Room at Guildhall. The few remaining duties of the Court include approving people for Freedom of the City and approving the formation of new livery companies, appointing the Recorder of London and acting as the Verderers of Epping Forest.
Aldermen (robed in scarlet) at Guildhall
Image: London Guildhall
City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation, officially and legally the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, is the municipal governing body of the City of London, the historic centre of London and the location of much of the United Kingdom's financial sector.
City of London Corporation
The Swordbearer and Macebearer walk ahead of the Lord Mayor, who is escorted by his ward beadle
The Guildhall's North Wing, housing the Corporation's offices.
On formal occasions, as here in the Guildhall's Old Library, the Common Councilmen wear blue fur-trimmed robes.