Harry Potter Wiki
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
(Accidentally published before completed before... Decrees are always made by the executive, not the parliament -- the parliament can quash them if if they're unjust though.)
Tag: Visual edit
(39 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{Pottermore}}
  +
{{Wonderbookold}}
 
{{Organisation infobox
 
{{Organisation infobox
 
|name=Wizengamot
 
|name=Wizengamot
Line 7: Line 9:
 
|founded=
 
|founded=
 
|dissolved=
 
|dissolved=
  +
|leader=[[Chief Warlock]]:
|leader=[[Albus Dumbledore]] (?-[[July]] [[1995]], [[June]] [[1996]]-[[1997]])
 
  +
*[[Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in 1544]]
  +
*[[Ulick Gamp]] (?-[[1700s|1707]])
 
*[[Albus Dumbledore]] (?-[[July]] [[1995]], [[June]] [[1996]]-[[1997]])
 
|headquarters=Level 2, [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]
 
|headquarters=Level 2, [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]
|intentions=Judicial and legislative branch of the Ministry
+
|intentions=Judicial branch of the Ministry
 
|affiliation=[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]<br>
 
|affiliation=[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]<br>
 
[[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]
 
[[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]
Line 15: Line 20:
 
*[[Death Eaters]]
 
*[[Death Eaters]]
 
*[[Order of the Phoenix]] (when Fudge was running his [[Campaign to Discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|Anti-Dumbledore campaign]] and when Voldemort overthrew the Ministry)
 
*[[Order of the Phoenix]] (when Fudge was running his [[Campaign to Discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|Anti-Dumbledore campaign]] and when Voldemort overthrew the Ministry)
*[[Dark Wizard|Dark Wizards and Witches]]
+
*[[Dark Wizard|Dark Wizards and Witches]]}}
}}
 
 
{{Quote|Feeling rather sick, [[Harry Potter|Harry]] looked up at the people seated at the bench above. There were about fifty of them… all staring down their noses at him, some with very austere expressions, others looks of frank curiosity|[[Harry Potter]] during [[Disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter|his hearing]] before the Wizengamot|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
{{Quote|Feeling rather sick, [[Harry Potter|Harry]] looked up at the people seated at the bench above. There were about fifty of them… all staring down their noses at him, some with very austere expressions, others looks of frank curiosity|[[Harry Potter]] during [[Disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter|his hearing]] before the Wizengamot|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
The '''Wizengamot''' is [[wizarding world|wizarding]] Britain's high court of law. It predates the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] itself, dating back to the days of the medieval [[Wizards' Council]]. Its administrative headquarters are located in the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], whilst the trials take place in the dungeons of the lower levels.
   
 
While court is in session, members wear plum-coloured robes embroidered with a silver letter ''W ''.
The '''Wizengamot''' is [[wizarding world|wizarding]] Britain's high court of law and parliament. It may be a continuation of the old [[Wizards' Council]]. Its administrative headquarters are located in the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], whilst the trials take place in the dungeons of the lower levels. The Wizengamot also appears to act as a form of parliament, with various bills passed and legislated in separate sittings to trials, in a similar fashion to that of [[Muggle]] [[Great Britain]].
 
   
 
==Structure and functionality==
In [[Muggle]] [[Great Britain]], the judiciary (courts), legislature (Parliament) and executive (Monarch) are all separate entities, allowing to a significant extent for the Wizarding injustices of 1995 to occur on such a vast scale.
 
 
The Wizengamot is made up of around fifty members. The selection process is unclear, though the [[Minister for Magic]] appears to have some control over selection or deselection. In addition, a Court Scribe acts as {{wplink|stenographer}}. The Minister for Magic, [[Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic|Senior Undersecretary to the Minister]], and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement preside over the Wizengamot ''ex officio''. There also was a British Youth Representative for people no more than 17 years old.<ref>{{BookChapter|[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]|18|[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]}}</ref> In recent times, the average age of a Wizengamot member was 87 years.<ref name="wombat">[[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test]]</ref>
   
 
Given that the Wizengamot was presided over by the Minister for Magic in the 1995 trial of Harry Potter, the period in which [[Albus Dumbledore]] had lost this title of [[Chief Warlock]] of the Wizengamot, it is unclear whether the Minister always heads the Wizengamot, or if he took on the role of Chief Warlock himself. It is also possible that the Chief Warlock acts as an impartial executive figure, much like the Queen does over the British and Commonwealth Parliaments.
Canonically, whiile court is in session, members wear plum-coloured robes embroidered with a silver letter ''W ''. In the film adaptations, black robes appear to indicate superiority over the red-robed Warlocks.
 
   
  +
==History==
==Structure and Functionality==
 
  +
The Wizengamot predates the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]. It has been in activity since, at least, [[1540s|1544]].<ref name="BS">''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''</ref>
The Wizengamot is made up of around fifty members. The selection process is unclear, though the [[Minister for Magic]] appears to have some control over selection or deselection. In addition, a Court Scribe acts as [[:wikipedia:stenographer|stenographer]]. The Minister for Magic, [[Dolores Umbridge|Senior Undersecretary to the Minister]], and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement preside over the Wizengamot ''ex officio''. There also was a British Youth Representative for people no more than 17 years old.<ref>{{BookChapter|[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]|18|[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]}}</ref>
 
   
  +
In [[1700s|1707]], when the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] was established, the Wizengamot was incorporated into the newly-created [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]. The first [[Minister for Magic]], [[Ulick Gamp]], had previously been [[Chief Warlock]] of the Wizengamot.<ref name="PMministers">''[[Pottermore]]'' - [http://www.pottermore.com/en/book5/chapter7/moment1/ministers-for-magic New from J.K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic"]</ref>
[[Albus Dumbledore]] held the position of [[Chief Warlock]] of the Wizengamot, except during the period of July [[1995]] to June [[1996]], in which he was removed from the post because of his insistence that [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] had returned. He was reinstated when the Ministry was forced to acknowledge Voldemort's return, specifically when he appeared in person at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in [[1996]]. Given that the Wizengamot was presided over by the Minister for Magic in the 1995 trial of Harry Potter, the period in which Dumbledore had lost this title, it is unclear whether the Minister always heads the Wizengamot, or if he took on the role of Chief Warlock himself. It is also possible that the Chief Warlock acts as an impartial executive figure, much like the Queen of England does over British and Commonwealth Parliaments.
 
   
  +
[[Albus Dumbledore]] held the position of [[Chief Warlock]] of the Wizengamot in the [[20th century]], except during the period of July [[1995]] to June [[1996]], in which he was removed from the post because of his insistence that [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] had returned. He was reinstated when the Ministry was forced to acknowledge Voldemort's return, specifically when he appeared in person at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in [[1996]].
It is unstated how much control the Wizengamot and Minister for Magic have over the passing decrees, however it can be assumed that they various [[Educational Decree]]s introduced by [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] in [[1995]] did not pass through the Wizengamot, given the general definition of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree Decree] and the sheer speed at which some were passed. The Wizengamot would however be able to quash these decrees with a majority vote.
 
  +
  +
==Trials==
 
Trials appear to be brief and concise. The accused may present witnesses to be questioned by the Wizengamot. A third-party with legal knowledge may speak on behalf of a defendant, fulfilling a similar role to that of a modern barrister. However, no wizarding lawyers seem to exist, and the practice of having a spokesperson on behalf of a defendant appears to be rare.
  +
  +
===Aberforth and the goats===
 
Aberforth Dumbledore was once prosecuted for "using inappropriate charms on a goat".<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref><ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>
  +
 
===Dementor Attack in Little Whinging===
 
{{See also|Disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter}}
  +
 
[[File:HarryonTrial.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[Harry Potter]] at his Wizengamot trial in [[1995]].]]
  +
 
In [[1995]],<ref name="hp5">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref> the Wizengamot tried Harry on a charge of violating the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]]. Harry had been forced to produce a [[Patronus]] to defend himself and his cousin [[Dudley Dursley]] against two [[Dementor]]s. The time of the hearing was changed sometime the night before the trial, and although the Wizengamot sent [[Wizengamot letter to Harry Potter|a letter]] to Harry informing of this, he missed it. Nonetheless, [[Albus Dumbledore]] presented Harry's defence and [[Cornelius Fudge]] reluctantly dismissed the charges after a majority ruled in favour of clearing him. It was later revealed that [[Dolores Umbridge]] had sent the Dementors to attack Harry in order to silence him.
  +
 
[[Percy Weasley]] later sent a letter to his brother [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] referring to "the whole Wizengamot," implying that this type of trial was unusual. Smaller disciplinary hearings do not require the court's attention at all and are dealt with by a single investigator, as the original hearing was supposed to be in [[Amelia Bones]]'s [[Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's office|office]], and that Dumbledore himself noted the unnatural change to press forward with a full trial on a simple case of underage magic due to Fudge's haste in law changing.
   
 
==Known members of the Wizengamot==
 
==Known members of the Wizengamot==
  +
*[[Ulick Gamp]] (former leader) †
[[File:Ameliabones.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Amelia Bones]], a member of the Wizangamot and head of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]].]]
 
*[[Amelia Bones]] (deceased)
+
*[[Amelia Bones]]
*[[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]] (former leader) (deceased)
+
*[[Bartemius Crouch Sr|Barty Crouch Sr.]] (former leader)
 
*[[Elphias Doge]]
 
*[[Elphias Doge]]
*[[Albus Dumbledore]] (deceased)
+
*[[Albus Dumbledore]]
*[[Cornelius Fudge]] (former leader) (dismissed)
+
*[[Cornelius Fudge]] (former leader, dismissed)
 
*[[Griselda Marchbanks]] (resigned)
 
*[[Griselda Marchbanks]] (resigned)
 
*[[Tiberius Ogden]] (resigned)
 
*[[Tiberius Ogden]] (resigned)
Line 45: Line 66:
 
*[[Unidentified dumpy Wizengamot member with a large black moustache|Dumpy, heavily-moustached wizard]]
 
*[[Unidentified dumpy Wizengamot member with a large black moustache|Dumpy, heavily-moustached wizard]]
 
*[[Unidentified frizzy-haired Wizengamot member|Frizzy-haired witch]]
 
*[[Unidentified frizzy-haired Wizengamot member|Frizzy-haired witch]]
  +
<gallery orientation="portrait" position="center" captionalign="center">
  +
ChiefWarlock1544.jpg|[[Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in 1544]]
  +
Ulick Gamp cropped.png|[[Ulick Gamp]]
  +
Ameliabones.jpg|[[Amelia Bones]]
  +
Roger Lloyd Pack as Barty Crouch Sr. (GoF-promo-02).jpg|[[Bartemius Crouch Sr]]
  +
Elphias Champagne.jpg|[[Elphias Doge]]
  +
Albus Dumbledore (HBP promo) 1.jpg|[[Albus Dumbledore]]
  +
Cornelius fudge hppoa.jpg|[[Cornelius Fudge]]
  +
Dolores Umbridge.PNG|[[Dolores Umbridge]]
  +
</gallery>
   
==Trials==
+
==Etymology==
 
The word "Wizengamot" is a portmanteau formed with the words "wizard" and "{{wplink|Witenagemot}}." The Witenagemot was a council of powerful nobles who convened to advise and appoint kings in {{wplink|Anglo-Saxon England}}. The word derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" - ''witan'', meaning "wise man" or "counsellor", and ''gemot'', meaning "assembly". So it can be said that "Wizengamot" means "assembly of wizards".
Trials appear to be brief and concise. The accused may present witnesses to be questioned by the Wizengamot. A third-party with legal knowledge may speak on behalf of a defendant, fulfilling a similar role to that of a modern barrister. However, no wizarding lawyers seem to exist, and the practice of having a spokesperson on behalf of a defendant appears to be rare.
 
   
===Aberforth and the goats===
+
==Behind the scenes==
  +
[[File:WizengamotLogo.png|thumb|The logo of the Wizengamot from the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films.]]]]
Aberforth Dumbledore was once prosecuted for "using inappropriate charms on a goat".<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref><ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>
 
   
  +
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)|video game adaption]] of [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]] it is [[Arthur Weasley]] who mentions ''a full Wizengamot'', implying that this is the same as in the book and film adaptions.
===Dementor Attack in Little Whinging===
 
  +
*There are several differences between the appearance of the Wizengamot in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|film adaptation]] and how they are described in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|novel]]
[[File:HarryonTrial.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Harry Potter]] at his Wizengamot trial in [[1995]].]]
 
  +
**The robes in the film have a more formal appearance to them.
{{See also|Disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter}}
 
  +
**In the novel, the members of the Wizengamot are described as plum coloured robes while in the movie, the robes are more of a red colour.
In [[1995]],<ref name=hp5>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref> the Wizengamot tried Harry on a charge of violating the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]]. Harry had been forced to produce a [[Patronus]] to defend himself and his cousin [[Dudley Dursley]] against two [[Dementor]]s. The time of the hearing was changed sometime the night before the trial, and although the Wizengamot sent [[Wizengamot letter to Harry Potter|a letter]] to Harry informing of this, he missed it. Nonetheless, [[Albus Dumbledore]] presented Harry's defence and [[Cornelius Fudge]] reluctantly dismissed the charges after a majority ruled in favour of clearing him. It was later revealed that [[Dolores Umbridge]] had sent the Dementors to attack Harry in order to silence him.
 
  +
**Black robes are also worn by a number of members, including [[Cornelius Fudge]], [[Amelia Bones]] and [[Dolores Umbridge]].
  +
**None of the robes have the embroidered silver letter ''W '' on them.
  +
* Along with the difference of robes in the film, the members of Wizengamot are seen wearing judicial headwear, that match the colour of their robes, which is not mentioned at all in the novel.
  +
**The headwear that the members of the Wizengamot wear in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', appears to similar to {{wplink|Toque}}, judicial headwear that various French magistrates once wore.
  +
**The headwear also is similar to the red toque that is worn by the justices of the {{wplink|Federal Constitutional Court of Germany}}.
  +
**Another type of headwear that is similar in appearance is the {{wplink|Biretta}} which is worn occasionally by advocates in various law courts.
  +
*The Wizengamot logo seen in the ''Harry Potter'' films bears the motto ''ignorantia juris neminem excusat'', a combination of the legal terms ''ignorantia juris non excusat'' and ''ignorantia legis neminem excusat'', both of which roughly mean "ignorance of the law excuses no one".
   
[[Percy Weasley]] later sent a letter to his brother [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] referring to "the whole Wizengamot," implying that this type of trial was unusual. Smaller disciplinary hearings do not require the court's attention at all and are dealt with by a single investigator.
 
 
==Etymology==
 
The word "Wizengamot" is a portmanteau formed with the words "wizard" and "[[Wikipedia:Witenagemot|Witenagemot]]." The Witenagemot was a council of powerful nobles who convened to advise and appoint kings in [[Wikipedia:Anglo-Saxon England|Anglo-Saxon England]]. The word derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" - ''witan'', meaning "wise man" or "counsellor", and ''gemot'', meaning "assembly". So it can be said that "Wizengamot" means "assembly of wizards".
 
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]'' {{mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]'' {{mention}}
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{mention}}
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''

Revision as of 17:57, 2 November 2014

"Feeling rather sick, Harry looked up at the people seated at the bench above. There were about fifty of them… all staring down their noses at him, some with very austere expressions, others looks of frank curiosity"
Harry Potter during his hearing before the Wizengamot[src]

The Wizengamot is wizarding Britain's high court of law. It predates the Ministry of Magic itself, dating back to the days of the medieval Wizards' Council. Its administrative headquarters are located in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Magic, whilst the trials take place in the dungeons of the lower levels.

While court is in session, members wear plum-coloured robes embroidered with a silver letter .

Structure and functionality

The Wizengamot is made up of around fifty members. The selection process is unclear, though the Minister for Magic appears to have some control over selection or deselection. In addition, a Court Scribe acts as stenographer. The Minister for Magic, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement preside over the Wizengamot ex officio. There also was a British Youth Representative for people no more than 17 years old.[1] In recent times, the average age of a Wizengamot member was 87 years.[2]

Given that the Wizengamot was presided over by the Minister for Magic in the 1995 trial of Harry Potter, the period in which Albus Dumbledore had lost this title of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, it is unclear whether the Minister always heads the Wizengamot, or if he took on the role of Chief Warlock himself. It is also possible that the Chief Warlock acts as an impartial executive figure, much like the Queen does over the British and Commonwealth Parliaments.

History

The Wizengamot predates the Ministry of Magic. It has been in activity since, at least, 1544.[3]

In 1707, when the Ministry of Magic was established, the Wizengamot was incorporated into the newly-created Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The first Minister for Magic, Ulick Gamp, had previously been Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.[4]

Albus Dumbledore held the position of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in the 20th century, except during the period of July 1995 to June 1996, in which he was removed from the post because of his insistence that Lord Voldemort had returned. He was reinstated when the Ministry was forced to acknowledge Voldemort's return, specifically when he appeared in person at the Ministry of Magic in 1996.

Trials

Trials appear to be brief and concise. The accused may present witnesses to be questioned by the Wizengamot. A third-party with legal knowledge may speak on behalf of a defendant, fulfilling a similar role to that of a modern barrister. However, no wizarding lawyers seem to exist, and the practice of having a spokesperson on behalf of a defendant appears to be rare.

Aberforth and the goats

Aberforth Dumbledore was once prosecuted for "using inappropriate charms on a goat".[5][6]

Dementor Attack in Little Whinging

See also: Disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter
HarryonTrial

Harry Potter at his Wizengamot trial in 1995.

In 1995,[7] the Wizengamot tried Harry on a charge of violating the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. Harry had been forced to produce a Patronus to defend himself and his cousin Dudley Dursley against two Dementors. The time of the hearing was changed sometime the night before the trial, and although the Wizengamot sent a letter to Harry informing of this, he missed it. Nonetheless, Albus Dumbledore presented Harry's defence and Cornelius Fudge reluctantly dismissed the charges after a majority ruled in favour of clearing him. It was later revealed that Dolores Umbridge had sent the Dementors to attack Harry in order to silence him.

Percy Weasley later sent a letter to his brother Ron referring to "the whole Wizengamot," implying that this type of trial was unusual. Smaller disciplinary hearings do not require the court's attention at all and are dealt with by a single investigator, as the original hearing was supposed to be in Amelia Bones's office, and that Dumbledore himself noted the unnatural change to press forward with a full trial on a simple case of underage magic due to Fudge's haste in law changing.

Known members of the Wizengamot

Etymology

The word "Wizengamot" is a portmanteau formed with the words "wizard" and "Witenagemot." The Witenagemot was a council of powerful nobles who convened to advise and appoint kings in Anglo-Saxon England. The word derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" - witan, meaning "wise man" or "counsellor", and gemot, meaning "assembly". So it can be said that "Wizengamot" means "assembly of wizards".

Behind the scenes

WizengamotLogo

The logo of the Wizengamot from the Harry Potter films.

  • In the video game adaption of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix it is Arthur Weasley who mentions a full Wizengamot, implying that this is the same as in the book and film adaptions.
  • There are several differences between the appearance of the Wizengamot in the film adaptation and how they are described in the novel
    • The robes in the film have a more formal appearance to them.
    • In the novel, the members of the Wizengamot are described as plum coloured robes while in the movie, the robes are more of a red colour.
    • Black robes are also worn by a number of members, including Cornelius Fudge, Amelia Bones and Dolores Umbridge.
    • None of the robes have the embroidered silver letter W on them.
  • Along with the difference of robes in the film, the members of Wizengamot are seen wearing judicial headwear, that match the colour of their robes, which is not mentioned at all in the novel.
  • The Wizengamot logo seen in the Harry Potter films bears the motto ignorantia juris neminem excusat, a combination of the legal terms ignorantia juris non excusat and ignorantia legis neminem excusat, both of which roughly mean "ignorance of the law excuses no one".

Appearances

Notes and references

Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Level 2, British Ministry of Magic
Department of Magical Law Enforcement logo
Auror Office · Department of Intoxicating Substances · Improper Use of Magic Office · Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office · Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects · Office for the Removal of Curses, Jinxes, and Hexes · Magical Law Enforcement Patrol · Hit Wizards · Ministry of Magic Witch Watchers · Department of Magical Equipment Control · Administrative Registration Department · Wizengamot Administration Services · Department of Security · Animagus Registry · SOS Task Force Office