His Honour

His Honour or Her Honour is an honorific prefix which is traditionally applied to certain classes of people, in particular justices and judges and mayors. In Australia and the United States, the prefix is also used for magistrates (spelled in the American style, "Honor"). A corruption of the term, "Hizzoner", is sometimes used to irreverently refer to mayors of cities such as New York or Chicago.

In the Northern Territory (Australia) the Administrator is referred to as His/Her Honour.

In England and Wales, it is used as a prefix for circuit judges, e.g. His Honour Judge John Smith.

In Hong Kong where retained much England's judicial tradition, it is also used as a prefix for District Court Judges.

In Northern Ireland the prefix is also used for county court judges.

In Canada, His Honour or Her Honour is used as a title for the Lieutenant Governor of a province while in office. The spouse of a Lieutenant Governor is also addressed as His or Her Honour only while the Lieutenant Governor is in office. The Honourable is a courtesy title retained for life for a former Lieutenant Governor.