The Corporation of London provides local government services – such as housing, refuse collection, education, social services, environmental health and town planning – for the City of London. It is also committed to maintaining and enhancing the City’s status as the world's leading international financial and business centre.

Structure and history

The Corporation’s structure and history is closely linked to the history of the livery companies. Its constitution is based on the ancient rights enjoyed by the citizens of London which King William I recognised in a Royal Charter in 1067. Each year, the Lord Mayor and sheriffs are elected by the Common Hall, an electoral body made up solely of liverymen.

Special functions

As well as carrying out all the functions of a local authority, the Corporation of London runs its own police force and the country’s central criminal court, the Old Bailey. It provides five bridges across the river Thames, runs the quarantine station at Heathrow airport, and is the port health authority for the whole of the Thames tidal estuary. The markets at Billingsgate, Spitalfields and Smithfield also belong to the Corporation.

Find out more

For more information about the Corporation, see the Corporation of London website.