At His Majesty's pleasure

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Meaning

For an indefinite period subject to lawful Crown or government authority, especially in the formal language of detention and release. Formal legal language. The possessive changes with the reigning monarch, and the phrase has technical rules that differ by jurisdiction and context. Regional use: United Kingdom legal English.

Origin

The formula applies the sovereign's 'pleasure' to custody without a fixed release date. An 1830s record in The National Archives concerns prisoners held until His Majesty's pleasure should be known. In current youth sentencing in England and Wales, detention at His Majesty's pleasure is the mandatory life sentence for a child who commits murder; a minimum term must be served before the Parole Board can consider release. It does not mean release at the monarch's personal whim: modern decisions follow statutory and parole procedures.

Research Sources

  1. At His/Her Majesty's pleasure Cambridge University Press
  2. Fanny Poole and William Harris, HO 17/26/118 The National Archives
  3. Youth custodial sentences: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021 factsheet GOV.UK / Home Office

Variants

  • At Her Majesty's pleasure
  • During His Majesty's pleasure
  • During Her Majesty's pleasure

Usage Examples

  • The historical warrant ordered him held at His Majesty's pleasure.
  • Because the sovereign was a queen, the judgment said at Her Majesty's pleasure.
  • The judge explained that detention at His Majesty's pleasure includes a minimum term before parole may be considered.

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