Deputy Lieutenants

Role of the Deputy Lieutenants

The Lord-Lieutenant appoints Deputy Lieutenants (DLs) to support them. They are entitled to use the post-nominal “DL” during their appointment. They are often referred to as the “eyes and ears” of the County.

The number of DLs that a Lord-Lieutenant can appoint depends on the size of the County. DLs can be appointed for either a set period, as determined by their commission received on appointment, or until their 75th birthday, when they have to retire. Any DL who retires may, at the Lord-Lieutenant’s discretion, continue to use the post-nominal letters “DL”.