The History of Judicial Bailiffs

The profession that today corresponds to what we know as a judicial bailiff can be traced back to Antiquity. In those times, under the Pax Romana, our predecessors used what they called officiales to enforce the decisions of judges. The barbarian invasions ended the Pax Romana, and the return of private justice followed.

It was during the Middle Ages that the various jurisdictions that emerged—whether seigneurial, ecclesiastical, or royal—needed a diversity of sworn agents with sufficient authority to enforce their decisions. Thus the Roman officiales became sergeants and huissiers (bailiffs).

The sergeants were especially in charge of serving notices in seigneurial jurisdictions, drafting the pleadings of litigants, and carrying out judgments issued by the courts.

The huissiers, whose name comes from “l’huis” (the door), had the mission of internal court services, such as during hearings, and maintaining order in the courts. Over time, huissiers became the summons officers of major jurisdictions, whereas sergeants were relegated to lower or secondary courts.

Through the ages, the profession has evolved. Today, a judicial bailiff is a ministerial officer, whose position is held by virtue of an appointment (a charge) granted with the approval of public authorities. As such, the judicial bailiff holds an important public role in the history of our civilization.

Source : article published on eurojuris.fr : l’histoire des huissiers judiciaires