Clerk of the Crown - Project Open Gov

The official involved in issuing election writs for parliamentary elections.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, Clerk of the Crown’s Office, Clerk of Crown

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament explainer on by-elections

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

The Clerk of the Crown is the official involved in the formal issuing of election writs. In a by-election, once the required parliamentary steps have taken place, the writ is made out and sent to the relevant returning officer so that the election timetable can proceed.

Related terms

By-electionAn election held to fill a seat that becomes vacant between general elections.Returning OfficerThe official responsible for running an election in a local area.Speaker’s WarrantThe formal instruction from the Speaker that leads to a new writ for a Commons by-election.WritA formal legal document used to authorise an election or other official action.Writ of ElectionThe formal document that authorises an election to fill a seat in the House of Commons.