Vice

Vice - CHANCELLOR, the deputy of a chancellor (q.v.). In the English legal system vice-chancellors in equity were formerly important officials. The first vice-chancellor was appointed in 1813 in order to lighten the work of the lord chancellor and the master of the rolls, who were at that time the sole judges in equity. Two additional vice-chancellors were a p pointed in 1841. The vice-chancellors sat separately from the lord chancellor and the lords justices, to whom there was an appeal from their decisions. By the Judicature Act 1873 they became judges of the High Court of Justice, retaining their titles, but it was enacted that on the death or retirement of any one his successor was to be styled "judge." Vice-chancellor Sir J. Bacon (1798-1895) was the last to hold the office, resigning in 1886.

Vice-chancellor is also the title given to the judge of the duchy court of Lancaster. For the vice-chancellor of a university, see Chancellor.