The Court consists of 5 Elected Verderers & 5 Appointed Verderers
Evidence from the 13th century indicates that the Verderers were originally a court within the Forest, authorised by the Crown and elected by the County. They sat to hear cases of offences within the Sovereign’s Forest. They could deal with minor offences directly (by fines) but more serious cases were referred to higher courts – ultimately the Forest Eyre.
Verderers Leaflet
The members of the Verderers’ Court and their Declarations of Interest (DoI) are:
Edward Heron Official Verderer DoI
Mr. Richard Deakin Elected Verderer DoI
Miss. Kay Harrison Elected Verderer DoI
Mr. Anthory Pasmore Elected Verderer DoI
Mr. Robert Stride Elected Verderer DoI
Mrs. Alison Tilbury Elected Verderer DoI
Mr Clive Chatters Appointed Natural England Verderer DoI
Mr. Mark Gammon Appointed Forestry Commission Verderer DoI
Mr. Richard Manley Appointed DEFRA Verderer DoI
Miss Ann Sevier MBE Appointed National Park Verderer DoI
The Court meets in ‘Open Court’ normally on the third Wednesday of each month (and Committee-only in December). The public may address the Verderers on any matter relevant to the management of the New Forest and subject to the Court Regulations see our resources.
Court Dates
In carrying out their statutory role as managers of the New Forest, the Forestry Commission are constrained by the existence of rights of common. However, these rights are subject to the Forestry Commissions’ statutory powers. The Commission have power, amongst other things, to authorise the use of land in the New Forest for the purpose of recreation and the appropriation of land.
Memorandum of Understanding
Accounts
Download the Verderers’ accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024
Tranquility in the Forest Policy
The Verderers’ policy on Tranquility in the New Forest is available for download
Court Minutes
The minutes of the Verderers’ Court are available from 2003 to the present. The Court does not usually sit in August. Link to Resource library
Ministers Mandate
Download the Ministers Mandate here
Regulations of the Court
Regulations of The Verderers of the New Forest Relating to the Courts of Swainmote for the Dispatch of Administrative and Judical Business as Provided for in Section 24 of The New Forest Act 1877 as amended. Link to Resource library
Commoning in the New Forest refers to the traditional practice where local people, known as “commoners,” have the legal right to use the land for specific purposes, such as grazing their livestock or collecting resources. This centuries-old system is central to the cultural and ecological fabric of the New Forest.
The Verderers of the New Forest are an ancient and unique governing body responsible for protecting and managing the traditional rights, landscape, and ecology of the New Forest in southern England. They play a central role in overseeing commoning practices
An Agister in the New Forest is an official responsible for managing the welfare of livestock grazing on the open forest. They play a key role in supporting the traditional practice of commoning and ensuring the well-being of the animals that roam freely within the forest boundaries.
The Verderers publish regular announcements that include, protecting communing rights, managing livestock, conservation and environmental issues, resolving disputes, education and monitoring developments with the New Forest.
