BAILIFF, (ballivus), from the French word baillif, that is, praefectus provinciae: and as the name, so the office itself was answerable to that of France; where there are eight parliaments, which are high courts from whence there lies no appeal, and within the precincts of the several parts of that kingdom which belong to each parliament there are several provinces to which justice is administered by certain officers called baillifs; and in England there are several counties in which justice hath been administered to the inhabitants by the officer who is now called sheriff or viscount, (one of which names descends from the Saxons, the other from the Normans); and though the sheriff is not called baillif, yet it is probable that was one of his names also, because the county is often called bailliva. And in the statute of Magna Charta, cap. 28. and 14 Ed. 3. c. 9. the word baillif seems to comprise as well sheriffs, as baillifs of hundreds. As the realm is divided into counties, so every county is divided into hundreds; within which in ancient times the people had justice ministered to them by the officers of every hundred. But now the hundred courts, except certain franchises, are swallowed in the county-courts; and the baillif's name and office is grown into contempt, they being generally officers to serve writs, &c. within their liberties. Though, in other respects, the name is still in good esteem: for the chief magistrates in divers towns, are called baillifs, or baillies; and sometimes the persons to whom the king's castles are committed are termed baillifs, as the baillif of Dover castle, &c.
Of the ordinary baillifs there are several sorts, viz. sheriff's baillifs, baillifs of liberties, &c.
Sheriff's baillifs, or sheriff's officers, are either baillifs of hundreds, or special baillifs. Baillifs of hundreds are officers appointed over those respective districts by the sheriffs, to collect fines therein; to summon juries; to attend the judges and justices at the assizes, and quarter sessions; and also to execute writs and process in the several hundreds. But as these are generally plain men, and not thoroughly skilful in this latter part of their office, that of serving writs, and making arrests and executions, it is now usual to join special baillifs with them; who are generally mean persons employed by the sheriffs on account only of their adroitness and dexterity in hunting and seizing of their prey.
Baillifs of liberties are those baillifs who are appointed by every lord within his liberty, to execute process and do such offices therein as the baillif errant doth at large in the county; but baillifs errant or itinerant, to go up and down the county to serve process, are out of use.
There are also baillifs of forests, and baillifs of manors, who direct husbandry, fell trees, gather rents, pay quit-rents, &c.