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((Short description|Honorific style name prefix))
((Redirect2|Honourable|Hon.|other uses|Honour|and|Hon (disambiguation)))
((For|the Ugandan satire television series|The Honourables))
((Distinguish|The Right Honourable|The Most Honourable))
((EngvarB|date=July 2020))
((Use dmy dates|date=April 2019))
((multiple issues|
((More citations needed|date=April 2016))
((globalize|date=June 2022))))
'''''The Honourable''''' ([[Commonwealth English]]) or '''''The Honorable''''' ([[American English]]; [[American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or|see spelling differences]]) (abbreviation: '''''Hon.''''', '''''Hon'ble''''', or variations) is an [[honorific]] [[Style (manner of address)|style]] that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certain people, usually with official governmental or diplomatic positions.
((TOC limit|5))

==Use by governments==
===International diplomacy===
In international diplomatic relations, representatives of foreign states are often styled as ''The Honourable''. Deputy chiefs of mission, ((lang|fr|[[chargés d'affaires]])), consuls-general and consuls are always given the style. All heads of consular posts, whether they are honorary or career postholders, are accorded the style according to the State Department of the United States.<ref>This is referenced in the Los Angeles Country Protocol Register: "Following the practice of the U.S. Department of State Office of Protocol, all heads of post are accorded the courtesy style of 'The Honorable' before their names." [https://ceo.lacounty.gov/pdf/LosAngelesConsularCorpsRoster.pdf ceo.lacounty.gov] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616034030/http://ceo.lacounty.gov/pdf/LosAngelesConsularCorpsRoster.pdf |date=16 June 2015 )) Los Angeles has the highest density of consulates and consulates-general of any city in the world. Furthermore, for example, [https://phoenix.gov/ECONDEV/consulat.html phoenix.gov] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822223246/https://phoenix.gov/ECONDEV/consulat.html |date=22 August 2011 )) or [https://www.oakgov.com/globaloakland/oakland_county/consulates.html oakgov.com] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822135856/https://www.oakgov.com/globaloakland/oakland_county/consulates.html |date=22 August 2010 )) An authoritative source can be found at [https://www.bmeia.gv.at/index.php?id=68719&L=1 bmeia.gv.at] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216110016/https://www.bmeia.gv.at/index.php?id=68719&L=1 |date=16 February 2022 )) where the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists all Honorary Consuls with the style of ''The Hon.''</ref> However, the style ''[[Excellency]]'' instead of ''The Honourable'' is used for ambassadors and [[high commissioner]]s.

===Africa===
====Democratic Republic of the Congo====
In the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], the prefix 'Honourable' or 'Hon.' is used for members of both chambers of the [[Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Informally, senators are sometimes given the higher style of 'Venerable'.((Citation needed|date=May 2022))

====Ghana====
The style of Honourable is accorded [[Parliament of Ghana|members of parliament]] in [[Ghana]]. It is also extended to certain grades of Royal Orders awarded by Ghana's sub-national Kingdoms.((citation needed|date=November 2020))

==== Kenya ====
The style Honourable is used to address members of the [[Parliament of Kenya|Kenyan parliament]].  Traditionally, members of Parliament are not allowed to call each other by name in the chambers, but rather use the terms "Honourable colleague" or "Honorable Member for ...".<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.parliament.go.ke/glossary-terms|title=Glossary of Terms|publisher=Parliament of Kenya|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-date=1 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301194822/http://parliament.go.ke/glossary-terms|url-status=live))</ref>  The written form is ''Hon. [Last Name], [First Name]'' or ''Honourable [Last Name]'' or ''Honourable'' [Position] (e.g. ''Honourable Speaker'').

====Mauritius====
Recipients of the rank of Grand Officer or above of the [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean]] and persons knighted by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] are automatically entitled to prefix ''The Hon'', ''Hons'' or ''The Honourable'' to their name. Commanders and Officers may request permission from the President to use this prefix. Recipients of the order who are not Mauritian citizens may not use the prefix or post-nominals unless granted permission by the President.

==== South Africa ====
All members of the [[South African parliament]] and the nine [[Provincial legislature (South Africa)|provincial legislatures]] are entitled to this prefix.

===Europe===
====Germany====
A rough equivalent of the style ''Honourable'' would be ((lang|de|[[Hochwohlgeboren]])) 'high well-born', which was used until 1918 for all members of noble families not having any higher style. Its application to bourgeois dignitaries became common in the 19th century, though it has faded since and was always of doubtful correctness.

((lang|de|Ehrwürdig)) or ((lang|de|Ehrwürden)), the literal translation of 'honourable', is used for [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[clergy]] and [[religious (Catholicism)|religious]]((mdash))with the exceptions of priests and abbesses, who are ((lang|de|Hochwürden)) '[[reverend]]'. A subdeacon is ((lang|de|Wohlehrwürden)) 'very honourable'; a deacon is ((lang|de|Hochehrwürden)) '[[right honourable]]'.

====Ireland====
In Ireland, all judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are referred to as ''The Honourable Mr/Ms Justice''.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.courts.ie/judges|title=The Judges &#124; the Courts Service of Ireland|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916051854/https://www.courts.ie/judges|url-status=live))</ref>

====Italy====
In Italy, the style ''The Honourable'' (((lang-it|Onorevole|link=no))) is customarily used to refer to a member of the [[Chamber of Deputies (Italy)|Chamber of Deputies]]. Former members of parliament can maintain the style.<ref>For a case of a former parliamentarian who was called, in an institutional hearing, "honorable" or "senator" (and even "president", a position he had held much earlier in his life), see [https://patrimonio.archivio.senato.it/inventario/scheda/terrorismo-e-stragi-x-xiii-leg/IT-SEN-114-015841/seduta-n-74-del-21-febbraio-1991-declassificata-ex-dps-12785-del-22-luglio-2020#lg=1&slide=0 Commissione stragi, X legislatura, Seduta n. 74 del 21 febbraio 1991, pp. 4-144] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208134634/https://patrimonio.archivio.senato.it/inventario/scheda/terrorismo-e-stragi-x-xiii-leg/IT-SEN-114-015841/seduta-n-74-del-21-febbraio-1991-declassificata-ex-dps-12785-del-22-luglio-2020#lg=1&slide=0 |date=8 February 2021 )), in Archivio storico del Senato, ASSR, Terrorismo e stragi (X-XIII leg.), 1.74.</ref>

====Malta====
All members of the unicameral [[Parliament of Malta]] are entitled to this prefix.

====The Netherlands====
An extensive system of honorifics used to be in place in the Netherlands. In a more formal setting it still is. ((lang|nl|De weledele heer/vrouwe)) 'the honourable lord/lady' is used for the genteel bourgeoisie. The middle classes are instead addressed with ((lang|nl|De heer/mevrouw)) 'sir/madam', which is the equivalent of ''Mr/Ms'' in English.

Also typical is the use of ((lang|nl|De weledelgeboren heer/vrouwe)) 'the well-born lord/lady', for students at universities, traditionally children of the genteel bourgeoisie.

The system adds honorifics based on prestige for military officers based on rank, barristers, prosecutors, judges, members of parliament, government ministers, nobles, clergy, and for academic degrees of master's and above.

In the Dutch language, ((lang|nl|Mr)) is a formal and academic title, for both men and women, protected by Dutch law. It stands for ((lang|nl|Meester)) 'master', and is strictly reserved for holders of a master's degree in law (LL.M.) who are qualified to practice law. Holders are addressed as ((lang|nl|De weledelgestrenge heer/vrouwe Mr)) 'the honourable strict lord/lady master', followed by their name.

====Spain====
In the Spanish Autonomous Community of [[Catalonia]] the word Honorable ([[Catalan language|Catalan]]: ''Honorable'') is used for current and former members of the cabinet (''consellers'') of the President of the Catalan Government (''[[Generalitat de Catalunya]]''). Former and current Heads of Government or President of the Generalitat are given the name of ''Molt Honorable'' ("Very Honorable"). This also applies to former and current heads of government of the Autonomous Communities of [[Valencia]] and [[Balearic Islands]].<ref>((cite web|title=Llista de tractaments protocol·laris [in catalan]|url=https://www.upf.edu/daupf/5ap1/512ex.htm|publisher=Universitat Pompeu Fabra|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110228/https://www.upf.edu/daupf/5ap1/512ex.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead))</ref>

====United Kingdom====
=====Entitlement=====
((more citations needed section|date=March 2012))
In the United Kingdom, all sons and daughters of [[viscount]]s and [[baron]]s<ref>((cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Honourable|title=The Honourable – style or title|quote=(...) The [[College of Arms|Heralds’ College]] officially reported on the petition on October 31, 1835, stating (...) that “the style of ‘The Honourable’ is given to the Judges and to the [[Chief Baron of the Exchequer|Barons of the Exchequer]], with others; because, by the Decree of the tenth of [[James VI and I|King James the First]], for settling the place and precedency of the [[Baronet]]s, the Judges, and Barons of the Exchequer, were declared to have place and precedence before the younger sons of [[Viscount]]s and [[Baron]]s.”<br />(...) The analogy held only in so far as both styles were applicable to those who belonged to the less exalted ranks of the titled classes, for the title “honourable” was not definitely confined to certain classes until later.<br /> The terms ''honorabilis'' and ''honorabilitas'' were in use in the [[Middle Ages]] as a form of politeness rather than as a specific title. More than two centuries later [[John Selden]], in his Titles of Honor (1614), does not include “honourable” among the courtesy titles given to the children of peers.<br />The style was, in fact, used extremely loosely until well on into the 18th century.<br />(...) British baronets, for instance, claimed that they had been styled “the honourable” until the end of the 18th century, and in 1835 they petitioned for the style as a prefix to their names. The Heralds’ College officially reported on the petition on October 31, 1835, stating that the presented evidence did not prove the right of baronets to the style and that its use “has been no more warranted by authority than when the same style has been applied to [[Field Officer]]s in the Army and others.”.<br />(...) It is not, indeed, until 1874 that there is any clear evidence of an authoritative limitation of the title. In this year the wives of [[Lords of Appeal in Ordinary|Lords of Appeal]] were granted style and precedence as baronesses, but it was provided that their children were not “to assume or use the prefix of Honourable, or to be entitled to the style, rank or precedence of the children of a Baron.” In 1898, however, this was revoked, and it was ordained “that such children shall have and enjoy on all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of hereditary Barons together with the rank and precedence.” By these acts of the Crown, the prefix “honourable” would seem to have been restricted as a definite title of honour, yet in legal documents the sons of peers are still styled merely “[[esquire]]". This latter fact points to the time when the prefix “honourable” was a mark of deference paid by others rather than a style assumed by right.|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=4 August 2022|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206073229/https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Honourable|url-status=live))</ref> (including the holders of [[life peerage]]s) and the younger sons of [[earl]]s are styled with this prefix (the daughters and younger sons of [[duke]]s and [[marquess]]es and the daughters of [[earl]]s have the higher style of ''Lord'' or ''Lady'' before their first names, and the eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls are known by one of their father's or mother's subsidiary titles). The style is only a [[courtesy title|courtesy]], however, and on legal documents they may be described as, for instance, ''John Smith, Esq., commonly called The Honourable John Smith''. As the wives of sons of peers share the styles of their husbands, the wives of the sons of viscounts and barons and the younger sons of earls are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs John Smith''. Likewise, the married daughters of viscounts and barons, whose husbands hold no higher title or dignity, are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs Smith''.

In 1912, King [[George V]] granted [[Maid of honour|maids of honour]] (royal attendants) the style of ''the honourable'' for life, with precedence next after daughters of barons.<ref>((London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28661|page=8201|date=8 November 1912))</ref>

''The Honourable'' is also customarily used as a form of address for most foreign nobility that is not formally recognised by the sovereign (e.g. ambassadors) when in the UK.

Some people are entitled to the prefix by virtue of their offices. Rules exist that allow certain individuals to keep the prefix ''The Honourable'' even after retirement.
* Judges of the [[High Court of England and Wales|High Court]] and other superior courts in the Commonwealth (if the judge is a [[knight]], the style ''Sir John Smith'' is used socially instead of ''The Honourable Mr Justice Smith''); and
* Members of Commonwealth [[Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)|executive]] and [[Legislative Council|legislative council]]s (or [[senate]]s) where the legislature is [[bicameral]].((citation needed|date=August 2020))

Several corporate entities have been awarded the style by [[royal warrant (document)|royal warrant]], for example:
* [[Honourable East India Company|The Honourable East India Company]];
* The [[Honourable Artillery Company]];
* The four [[Inns of Court]] (for example [[Middle Temple|The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple]])
* The [[Honourable Company of Master Mariners]]
* The [[Honourable Company of Air Pilots]]

=====Usage=====
The style ''The Honourable'' is usually used in addressing envelopes (where it is usually abbreviated to ''The Hon.'') and formally elsewhere, in which case ''Mr'' or ''[[Esquire]]'' are omitted. In speech, however, The Honourable John Smith is usually referred to simply as Mr John Smith.

In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]], as in other traditionally lower houses of Parliament and other legislatures, members must as a minimum refer to each other as ''the honourable member'' or ''my honourable friend'' out of courtesy, but they are not entitled to the style in writing. Members who are 'senior' [[barrister]]s may be called ''the honourable and learnèd member'', serving or ex-serving members of the military ''the honourable and gallant member'', and ordained clergy in the House ''the honourable and reverend member''; a practice which the Modernisation Committee recommended abolished,<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-information-office/g07.pdf|title=Factsheet G7 - Some Traditions and Customs of the House|page=2|publisher=House of Commons|date=August 2010|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604210708/https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-information-office/g07.pdf|url-status=live))</ref> but which use has continued.<ref>[https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-08-18/debates/A86142BD-A204-4BC8-BBC0-ACA7BAD7E9F0/Afghanistan Afghanistan] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214070445/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-08-18/debates/A86142BD-A204-4BC8-BBC0-ACA7BAD7E9F0/Afghanistan |date=14 February 2022 )).''Hansard.'' (2021). An example of the use after recommended abolition.</ref> When anyone is entitled to be styled ''[[Right Honourable (House of Commons)|Right Honourable]]'' this is used instead of ''honourable''.

In the [[Falkland Islands]], the style ''the honourable'' is given to any serving or former [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|members]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands|Legislative Assembly]] or [[Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands|Legislative Council]].

In the [[Isle of Man]], the style ''the honourable'' (often abbreviated to ''Hon.'') is used to refer to a [[Council of Ministers of the Isle of Man|minister]] while holding office.

===North America===
====Canada====
((Further|Style (manner of address)))
In Canada, while not always enshrined in legislation, some people are commonly referred to as ''The Honourable'' (((lang-fr|link=no|l'honorable))). Those who have the honorific for life include:<ref name="HEritage-styles">((cite web|title=Styles of address |date=2016-01-25 |url=https://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1452017684393|website=Canadian Heritage|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-date=27 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227213407/http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1452017684393|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="PWGSC-styles">((cite web|title=lieutenant-governor, Lt.-Gov., His/Her Honour, Honourable|url=https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2guides/guides/wrtps/index-eng.html?lang=eng&lettr=indx_catlog_l&page=9U_I-yqmZDBY.html|website=Writing Tips - TERMIUM Plus® - Translation Bureau |date=2015-10-15 |publisher=Public Works and Government Services Canada|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141022/http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2guides/guides/wrtps/index-eng.html?lang=eng&lettr=indx_catlog_l&page=9U_I-yqmZDBY.html|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="GC-CA-Table-Of-Titles">((cite web|title=Table of Titles to be used in Canada|url=https://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1452187406810/1453733836056|website=Government of Canada|date=2016-01-25 |access-date=28 February 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080051/http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1452187406810/1453733836056|url-status=dead ))</ref>
* [[Senate of Canada|Senators]]
* Members of the [[King's Privy Council for Canada]] (mostly members or former members of the federal [[Cabinet of Canada|Cabinet]])
* [[Lieutenant governor (Canada)|Lieutenant governors]]
* Members of the [[Executive Council of Nova Scotia]] (since 2009)
* Members of the [[Executive Council of Alberta]] (since 2022)

People who have the honorific only while in office include:<ref name="HEritage-styles" /><ref name="GC-CA-Table-Of-Titles" />
* The [[speaker of the House of Commons of Canada]]
* Members of provincial and territorial [[Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)|executive councils]] (premiers, cabinet ministers and deputy premiers). Some executive councillors (see above) have the honorific for life.
* Speakers of provincial and territorial legislatures
* Government [[house leader]]s of provinces and territories
* Territorial commissioners
* Justices of the [[Supreme Court of Canada]]
* Justices of the [[Federal Court of Canada|Federal Court]] and [[Federal Court of Appeal (Canada)|Federal Court of Appeals]], [[Tax Court of Canada]]
* Justices of  the [[Courts-martial of Canada|Court Martial of Canada]] and [[Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada]]
* Justices of provincial superior courts (trial and appellate)
* Provincial inferior court judges

Derivatives include:
* The Honourable Mr/Madam Justice — justices of federal courts, provincial appellate and superior courts.
* The Honourable Judge — judges of provincial courts and formerly judges of district or county courts.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/prtcl/address3-eng.cfm |title= Styles of address – Provincial/territorial dignitaries |publisher=Canadian Heritage |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-date=13 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913111956/http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/prtcl/address3-eng.cfm |url-status=dead ))</ref>

In all cases, the [[governor general of Canada]] may grant permission to retain the style after they cease to hold office. Persons eligible to retain the style include the speaker of the House of Commons (who may already be eligible as a privy councillor), territorial commissioners, and judges of certain courts (e.g., the Supreme Court of Canada). The most recent former justice granted such privileges was [[Frank Iacobucci]].

It is usual for speakers of the House of Commons to be made privy councillors, in which case they keep the style for life. By custom, the [[leader of the Official Opposition (Canada)|leader of the Official Opposition]] is appointed to the Privy Council, granting them the style (being the only non-government MP accorded such privilege). In the past, certain provincial premiers (e.g., [[Peter Lougheed]], [[Bill Davis]], [[Joey Smallwood]] and [[Tommy Douglas]]) were elevated to the Privy Council and gained the style, but such practice is rare.

Members of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] and of provincial legislatures refer to each other during proceedings of the house with the courtesy style "honourable member" (or ((lang|fr|l'honorable député))), but their name is not otherwise prefixed with ''the Honourable'' (unless they are privy councillors or executive councillors).<ref>((Cite web |url=https://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/prtcl/address2-eng.cfm |title=Styles of address – Federal dignitaries |website=Canadian Heritage |date=2012-11-07 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627212110/http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/prtcl/address2-eng.cfm |url-status=dead ))</ref>

Current and former [[Governor General of Canada|governors general]], [[Prime Minister of Canada|prime ministers]], [[Chief Justice of Canada|chief justices]] and certain other eminent persons  use the style of ''[[The Right Honourable (Canada)|Right Honourable]]'' for life (or ((lang|fr|le/la très honorable)) in French). This was originally subject to being summoned to the British Privy Council. Several early prime ministers were not summoned to the British Privy Council, and hence were styled ''The Honourable'': [[Alexander Mackenzie (politician)|Alexander Mackenzie]], Sir [[John Abbott]] and Sir [[Mackenzie Bowell]].

Members of the [[Executive Council of Quebec]] have not used the style ''The Honourable'' since 1968 but retain the ability to do so, and are often accorded the honorific in media and by the federal government.

====The Caribbean====
=====Caricom=====
Members of the [[Order of the Caribbean Community]] are entitled to be styled ''The Honourable'' for life.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_instruments/agreement_occ.jsp |title=Agreement Instituting The Order Of The Caribbean Community |publisher=Caricom.org |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613183535/https://caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_instruments/agreement_occ.jsp |archive-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead  ))</ref>

=====Barbados=====
In [[Barbados]], members of the Parliament carry two main titles: members of the [[Barbados House of Assembly|House of Assembly]] are styled ''The Honourable'', while members of the [[Senate of Barbados|Senate]] are styled "Senator". Companions of Honour of the former [[Order of Barbados]] from the pre-republic era of Barbados, as well Members of the current [[Order of Barbados|Order of the Republic]], are accorded the style ''The Honourable''.

=====Jamaica=====
In [[Jamaica]], those awarded the [[Order of Jamaica]] (considered Jamaica's equivalent to a British [[knighthood]]) and those awarded the [[Order of Merit (Jamaica)|Order of Merit]] are styled ''Honourable''.

==== Trinidad and Tobago ====
In [[Trinidad and Tobago]] The [[List of prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago|Prime Minister]], government ministers, the leader of the opposition and ministers within government ministries (junior ministers) are styled as ''The Honourable'', senators serving as ministers are styled as ''Senator The Honourable'', ministers with doctorates are styled as ''The Honourable Dr. or Dr. the Honourable (rare).''

====United States====
In the United States, the prefix ''the Honorable'' has been used to formally address various officials at the federal and state levels, but it is most commonly used for the President-elect, [[Governor (United States)|governors]],  judges, and members of [[United States Congress|Congress]] when formally addressing them.<ref name=HickeyHowToUse/> The style may be conferred pursuant to federal government service, according to federal rules, or by state government service, where the rules may be different. Modifiers such as ''the Right Honorable'' or ''the Most Honorable'' are not used. The 't' in 'the' is not capitalized in the middle of a sentence.<ref name="Hickey">((Cite web|url=https://www.formsofaddress.info/Honorables.html#146|first=Robert|last=Hickey|title=How to Use 'The Honorable'|website=www.formsofaddress.info|date=27 May 2020|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603123626/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Honorables.html#146|url-status=live))</ref>

Under the rules of etiquette, the President, Vice President, members of both houses of Congress, [[Governor (United States)|governors]] of states, members of [[State legislature (United States)|state legislatures]], and mayors are accorded the title.<ref name="Mewborn">Mary K. Mewborn, [https://web.archive.org/web/20031227180316/https://washingtonlife.com/backissues/archives/99nov/honorables.htm Too Many Honorables?], ''Washington Life'' November 1999.</ref> Persons appointed to office [[List of positions filled by presidential appointment with Senate confirmation|nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate]] are accorded the title; this rule includes members of the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] and sub-Cabinet (such as deputies and undersecretaries),<ref name="Mewborn"/><ref name="google1">((Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5KRFnqCYJmsC&pg=PA47|title=United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette|first=Mary Mel Ambassador|last=French|date=16 May 2010|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=9781442203211|via=Google Books|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919052630/https://books.google.com/books?id=5KRFnqCYJmsC&pg=PA47|url-status=live))</ref> administrators, members, and commissioners of the various [[Independent agencies of the United States government|independent agencies]], councils, commissions, and boards,<ref name="google1"/> [[United States federal judges|federal judges]], [[ambassadors of the United States]],<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.formsofaddress.info/Ambassador_US.html|title=US Ambassador|website=www.formsofaddress.info|date=May 2020|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626234858/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Ambassador_US.html|url-status=live))</ref> [[United States Attorney|U.S. Attorneys]],<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.formsofaddress.info/US_attorney.html|title=US Attorney|website=www.formsofaddress.info|date=2 May 2020|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627000506/http://www.formsofaddress.info/US_attorney.html|url-status=live))</ref> [[United States Marshals Service|U.S. Marshals]],<ref>[https://www.formsofaddress.info/Marshal.html Marshal] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626235051/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Marshal.html |date=26 June 2020 )).</ref> the [[Architect of the Capitol]], the [[Librarian of Congress]] and [[Public Printer of the United States]],<ref name="google1"/> and presidentially appointed [[Inspector General|inspectors general]].<ref>[https://www.formsofaddress.info/Inspector_General.html Inspector General] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627035842/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Inspector_General.html |date=27 June 2020 )).</ref>

High state officials other than governor, such as [[Lieutenant governor (United States)|lieutenant governor]]<ref>Robert Hickey, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/Lieutenant_Governor.html Lieutenant Government] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627000257/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Lieutenant_Governor.html |date=27 June 2020 ))</ref> and [[state attorney general|state attorneys general]]<ref>Robert Hickey, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/attorney_general.html Attorney General] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627040154/http://www.formsofaddress.info/attorney_general.html |date=27 June 2020 )).</ref> are also accorded the style ''Honorable''. [[State court (United States)|State court]] judges and [[justices of the peace]], like federal judges, also are accorded the style ''Honorable''.<ref>Robert Hickey, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/USOS.html#BBB U.S. State Officials] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627000501/http://www.formsofaddress.info/USOS.html#BBB |date=27 June 2020 )).</ref> Practices vary on whether appointed state official, such as the heads of state cabinet-level departments are given the title.<ref name="Mewborn"/><ref name="Hickey" /> There is also no universal rule for whether county or city officials other than the mayor (such as [[city council]], [[board of aldermen]], [[board of selectmen]], [[planning and zoning commission]], and code enforcement board members, or [[city manager]] or [[police chief]] or [[fire chief]]) are given the title; as these may be different state by state.<ref>Robert Hickey, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/Councilman.html Councilman] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611210601/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Councilman.html |date=11 June 2020 )).</ref>

Members of the [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|White House staff]] at the rank of special assistant, deputy assistant, assistant to the president, and [[Counselor to the President]] are accorded the title. Officials nominated to high office but not yet confirmed (e.g., commissioner-designate) and interim or acting officials are generally not accorded the style ''Honorable'', except for cabinet-level officials.<ref name=HickeyHowToUse>Robert Hickey, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/honorable/#325 How to Use the Honorable] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124061923/https://www.formsofaddress.info/honorable/#325 |date=24 November 2020 )) (citing Mary Mel French, ''United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette'').</ref>

Opinions vary on whether the term ''the Honorable'' is accorded for life.<ref name="Mewborn"/> According to the protocols of the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]], all persons who have been in a position that entitled them to ''The Honorable'' continue to retain that honorific style for life.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/cpr/c18027.htm|title=Protocol Frequently Asked Questions|website=2009-2017.state.gov|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214210949/https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/cpr/c18027.htm|url-status=live))</ref> However, the State Department is not an authority on state and local officials such as mayors, members of state legislatures, and high state officials. The prefix is not used for people who have died.<ref name="Hickey" /><ref>((cite book|author=Bloomsbury Publishing|title=Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Correct Use|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10jOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA127|year=2016|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|page=127|isbn=9781472924346|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929022947/https://books.google.com/books?id=10jOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA127|url-status=live))</ref><ref>''The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage'' by Allan M. Siegal (1999), p.&nbsp;88</ref>

Some estimate that in the United States there are nearly 100,000 people who are accorded the "Honorable" title, many in the Washington, D.C. region.<ref name="Mewborn"/> Civilian officials, including service secretaries (e.g., [[United States Secretary of the Army|Secretary of the Army]]) of [[the Pentagon]] receive the title.<ref name="google1"/>

The style ''The Honorable'' is used on envelopes when referring to an individual in the third person. It is never properly used to refer to oneself.<ref name="Hickey" />

A spouse of someone with the style of ''The Honorable'' receives no additional style.

===Oceania===
====Australia====
In Australia, the style is allowed to be used by past and present:<ref name="Australian Style Guide">((Citation |title=Parliaments and councils |date=22 August 2022 |url=https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/titles-honours-forms-address/parliaments-and-councils |work=Australian Government Style Manual |access-date=7 October 2022))</ref><ref>((Citation |title=Judiciary |date=22 August 2022 |url=https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/titles-honours-forms-address/judiciary |work=Australian Government Style Manual |access-date=7 October 2022))</ref>
* Governors-General and Governors
* Members of the [[Federal Executive Council (Australia)|Federal Executive Council]]
* Premiers and ministers in all states
* [[Chairperson|Presiding officers]] of federal and state parliaments (except [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|ACT Legislative Assembly]] speakers)
* Members of all state legislative councils except in Victoria
* Chief ministers and ministers in the Northern Territory 
* Leaders of the Opposition in Tasmania
* High Court Justices
* Federal Court Justices
* Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Division 1 Justices
* Justices of the supreme court in states and territories.

The abbreviation in Australia is ''''The Hon'''' (without a full stop).<ref name="Australian Style Guide"/>

=====Governors=====
In May 2013, the title was given approval by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] to be granted to past, present, and future [[Governor-General of Australia|Governors-General of Australia]],<ref name=hongg>[https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00681 "The title 'the Honourable' for Governors-General"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107194401/https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00681 |date=7 January 2016 )), ''Australian Government Special Gazette'' C2013G00681, 8 May 2013.</ref> to be used in the form ''His'' or ''Her Excellency the Honourable'' while holding office, and ''The Honourable'' in retirement.

By December 2014, the practice of appointing the vice-regal office holder, as well as former living, the style ''The Honourable'' for life had also been adopted for the state governors of [[Governor of New South Wales|New South Wales]], [[Governor of Queensland|Queensland]], [[Governor of South Australia|South Australia]], [[Governor of Western Australia|Western Australia]], [[Governor of Victoria|Victoria]] and [[Governor of Tasmania|Tasmania]] (where it did not apply to past governors), as well as the [[Administrator of the Northern Territory]].((citation needed|date=September 2014))

=====Government ministers=====
In Australia, all ministers in Commonwealth and state governments and the government of the [[Northern Territory]] are entitled to be styled ''the Honourable''. The [[Australian Capital Territory]] does not have an [[Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)|executive council]] and so its ministers are not entitled to the style. In Victoria, the style is granted for life, so it is customary for former ministers to retain the style after leaving office.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/addressing-members |title=Parliament of Victoria – Addressing Members |publisher=Parliament.vic.gov.au |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-date=19 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719024522/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/addressing-members |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((cite book |editor1-last=Pitson |editor1-first=John |publication-date=1978 |title=Style Manual for authors, editors and printers of Australian Government publications|location=Canberra |publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|page=349 ))</ref> With respect to New South Wales, Queensland,<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/global/faqs/education |title=Frequently asked questions – Education  |publisher=Queensland Parliament |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609135343/http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/global/faqs/education |url-status=live ))</ref> South Australia and Tasmania the [[King-in-Council]] may grant former ministers the style for life. The same principle applies in the Northern Territory via the [[chief minister]], to the administrator, to the governor-general, then to the King. A minimum five years' service as a member of the executive council and/or as a presiding officer is a prerequisite. In Western Australia, conditional on royal assent, the style may become permanent after three years' service in the ministry.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/content/members-addressing-a-member |title= Addressing a Member |publisher=Parliament of WA |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-date=13 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913040039/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/content/members-addressing-a-member |url-status=live ))</ref> All such awards are published in the ''Commonwealth Government Gazette''. The presiding officers of the parliaments of the Commonwealth, the states and the Northern Territory are also styled ''the Honourable'', but normally only during their tenure of office. Special permission is sometimes given for a former presiding officer to retain the style after leaving office, as is the case in the Northern Territory.

=====Members of Parliament=====
The title ''Honourable'' is not acquired through membership of either the House of Representatives or the Senate (see [[Parliament of Australia]]). A member or senator may have the style if they have acquired it separately, e.g. by being a current or former minister. During proceedings within the chambers, forms such as "the honourable member for ...", "the honourable Leader of the Opposition", or "my honourable colleague" are used. This is a parliamentary courtesy and does not imply any right to the style.

Traditionally, members of the [[legislative council]]s of the states have been styled ''the Honourable'' for the duration of their terms. That practice is still followed in [[New South Wales Legislative Council|New South Wales]], [[Western Australian Legislative Council|Western Australia]], [[South Australian Legislative Council|South Australia]] and [[Tasmanian Legislative Council|Tasmania]]. In [[Victorian Legislative Council|Victoria]], the practice was abolished in 2003. In New South Wales, [[Greens New South Wales|Greens NSW]] members of the [[New South Wales Legislative Council|Legislative Council]], who are eligible for ''the Honourable'' style, have refrained from using it, deeming it to be "outdated" and a "colonial trapping".<ref>((cite web|url=https://greensmps.org.au/articles/greens-put-honourable-title-historys-dustbin|title=Greens put "Honourable" title in history's dustbin|publisher=Lee Rhiannon|website=Greens|date=3 April 2011|access-date=21 October 2019|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805215959/https://greensmps.org.au/articles/greens-put-honourable-title-historys-dustbin|url-status=dead ))</ref>

=====Judges=====
Judges of all [[superior court]]s are also referred to formally by the style ''the Honourable'', both during and after holding the office.

====New Zealand====
The style ''The Honourable'' was first granted in 1854 for use by members of the [[Executive Council of New Zealand|Executive Council]], the [[Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council|Speaker of the Legislative Council]], the Members of the [[New Zealand Legislative Council|Legislative Council]], and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.<ref>"Untitled" (11 July 1854) 16 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 72.</ref>

In addition to the standard Commonwealth usage, the [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker]] of the [[Parliament of New Zealand|House of Representatives]] was entitled to be referred to as ''The Honourable'' until 2010, when it was announced that sitting and future Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, and Speakers of the House of Representatives would be entitled to be referred to as ''[[Right Honourable (New Zealand)|The Right Honourable]]''.<ref>[https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2010-vr7303 "Rules for the Grant, Use and Retention of the Title 'The Right Honourable' in New Zealand"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223120148/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2010-vr7303 |date=23 December 2014 )) (23 September 2010) 124 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 3251 at 3285.</ref>

In July 2006 the Governor-General (and former living Governors-General) were granted the use of the title ''The Honourable''<ref>[https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2006-vr4910 "Rules for the Use and Grant of the Title 'The Honourable' in New Zealand"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223120309/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2006-vr4910 |date=23 December 2014 )) (20 July 2006) 82 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 2561 at 2583.</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/changes+rules+around+use+title|title=Changes to rules around use of title|date=17 July 2006|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=16 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016012207/http://beehive.govt.nz/release/changes+rules+around+use+title|url-status=live))</ref> until 2010 when the Governors-General was granted the title ''Right Honourable'' if they did not hold the style already or were a Privy Counsellor.<ref>[https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2010-vr7304 "Rules for the Grant, Use and Retention of the Title 'The Honourable' in New Zealand"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223115014/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2010-vr7304 |date=23 December 2014 )) (23 September 2010) 124 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 3251 at 3285.</ref>

New Zealand office holders who are ''The Honourable'' ex-officio are usually granted the style for life by the [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] as a courtesy when they vacate the office;<ref>((cite web |title='The Honourable' |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/new-zealand-royal-honours/new-zealand-royal-honours-system/types-new-zealand-royal-honours/the-honourable |website=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005221357/https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/new-zealand-royal-honours/new-zealand-royal-honours-system/types-new-zealand-royal-honours/the-honourable |url-status=live ))</ref> all honours and awards are published in ''[[The New Zealand Gazette]]''.

=== Asia ===

==== East Asia ====

===== South Korea =====
In South Korea, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people:
* Ministerial Members of [[State Council of South Korea|Cabinet of Korea]]
* Leaders and Floor Leaders of Parties and Members of Shadow Cabinet.
* Governors and Ministerial members of Provinces
* Mayors of Metropolitan Cities
* Judges at [[Supreme Court of Korea]] and Chief Justices of Provincial Level Courts.


===== Hong Kong =====
In Hong Kong, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people:
* The [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]]
* Members, including the President, of the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]]
* Members of the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]], including official members such as the [[Chief Secretary for Administration|Chief Secretary]], the [[Financial Secretary (Hong Kong)|Financial Secretary]], the [[Secretary for Justice (Hong Kong)|Secretary for Justice]], and other [[Principal officials of Hong Kong|secretaries of bureaux]]
* Judges of the [[Court of Final Appeal (Hong Kong)|Court of Final Appeal]]
* Justices of Appeal of the [[Court of Appeal (Hong Kong)|Court of Appeal]]
* Judges of the [[Court of First Instance (Hong Kong)|Court of First Instance]]
* Individuals who have been awarded the [[Hong Kong honours system|Grand Bauhinia Medal]], the highest medal in Hong Kong's honours system.
* Deceased heroes (29 to date) who served in any of the [[Hong Kong disciplined services|disciplined services]] under the [[Security Bureau (Hong Kong)|Security Bureau]]


===== Macau =====
In [[Macau]], the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used occasionally for the following people:
* [[Chief Executive of Macau]]
* Members, including the President, of the [[Legislative Assembly of Macau]]
* Members of the [[Executive Council of Macau|Executive Council]]
* The [[Secretariat for Administration and Justice (Macau)]], the [[Secretariat for Economy and Finance (Macau)]], and other Principal officials
* Judges of the [[Court of Final Appeal (Macau)|Court of Final Appeal]]
* Individuals who have been awarded the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Macau|Grand Medal of Lotus Flower]], the highest medal in Macau's honours system.

==== South Asia ====

===== Bangladesh =====
In [[People's Republic of Bangladesh]], House Speaker, Ministers, Members of parliaments and Mayors are entitled to the style ''Honourable''. On the other hand, the Prime Minister and the President are styled ''Honourable'' or ''[[Excellency]]''.<ref>((cite web |url=https://mopme.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/mopme.portal.gov.bd/page/1ba54097_b8c8_462d_bc48_d81f8d0e97c9/Scan0269.pdf |title=Ministry of Primary and Mass Education |publisher=Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=22 April 2016 |archive-date=7 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507151601/http://mopme.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/mopme.portal.gov.bd/page/1ba54097_b8c8_462d_bc48_d81f8d0e97c9/Scan0269.pdf |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=https://www.worldleaders.columbia.edu/events/her-excellency-sheikh-hasina-prime-minister-government-bangladesh |title=Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of Bangladesh |publisher=Columbia University World Leaders Forum |date=25 September 2015 |access-date=22 April 2016 |archive-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620170357/http://www.worldleaders.columbia.edu/events/her-excellency-sheikh-hasina-prime-minister-government-bangladesh |url-status=live ))</ref>

===== India =====
In India, judges of the [[High courts of India|High Courts of India]] and [[Supreme Court of India]] are addressed as ''Honourable'' ''(''Hon'ble'')'';<ref>((Cite web|date=2021-04-12|title=Is it a Judge who is Hon'ble or a Court?|url=https://www.theleaflet.in/is-it-a-judge-who-is-honble-or-a-court/|access-date=2021-06-28|website=TheLeaflet|language=en-US|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730193730/https://www.theleaflet.in/is-it-a-judge-who-is-honble-or-a-court/|url-status=live))</ref> often stylized and abbreviated as "HMJ", i.e., Honourable Mr/Ms. Justice, followed by their name.

The elected legislators ([[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Members of Legislative Assemblies]], and [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliaments]]) and Heads of Government (The [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]], The [[President of India|President]], [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Ministers]], [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Ministers]], [[Chief minister (India)|Deputy Chief Ministers]] and [[Governor (India)|Governors]]) are also formally called ''Honourable'' followed by their name. The [[Vice President of India]] is addressed as the hon'ble as well.

Outside of India, all of these listed above are addressed as 'His/Her Excellency'.

===== Pakistan =====
((Unreferenced section|date=February 2016))
In Pakistan, the judicial officers are addressed as honourable while presiding over in the courts of law. It is a norm to address judges of superior judiciary as honourable judges. Diplomats are addressed as Your Excellency. The head of state and Prime Minister is addressed her/his excellency.

===== Sri Lanka =====
In [[Sri Lanka]], the honorific ''The Honourable'' is used to refer to the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament.  [[Attorney-General of Sri Lanka|Attorney-General]] and [[Solicitor General of Sri Lanka|Solicitor-General]] as well as Judges of the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka|Supreme Court]], the [[Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka|Court of Appeal]] and the [[High Court of Sri Lanka|High Courts]].<ref>((cite news |last1=Gunawardena |first1=Edward |title=How honourable are the 'Honourable' few |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/article/how-honourable-are-the-honourable-few-18617.html |access-date=4 November 2019 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104064203/http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/how-honourable-are-the-honourable-few-18617.html |url-status=live ))</ref>

==== Southeast Asia ====

===== Malaysia =====
((Main|Malay titles#Honorary styles))
In [[Malaysia]], an elected Member of Parliament or State Legislative Assemblyman is entitled to be referred to as ((lang|ms|Yang Berhormat)), which translates to 'the honourable'.

===== Myanmar =====
In [[Myanmar]], the Chief Justice and Justices of the [[Supreme Court of Myanmar]] are referred as 'The Honourable'.<ref>((Cite journal|title=2017 Report|url=https://www.unionsupremecourt.gov.mm/sites/default/files/supreme/2017_annual_report_english_3.pdf|journal=Supreme Court of Myanmar|pages=11|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131201246/http://www.unionsupremecourt.gov.mm/sites/default/files/supreme/2017_annual_report_english_3.pdf|url-status=live))</ref>

===== Philippines =====
In the Philippines, the style is usually used to give distinction to any elected official (whether in office or retired) ranging from the smallest political unit, the ''[[barangay]]'', to the [[Congress of the Philippines]], which consists of the [[Senate of the Philippines|Senate]] and [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]].<ref name="UP_hnbk">((cite book |editor1-last=Alfonso |editor1-first=Oscar M. |title=Handbook on Protocol in the University of the Philippines |date=2005 |publisher=Office of the Secretary of the University, University of the Philippines System |location=Quezon City, Philippines |isbn=971-93031-1-5 |page=52 |url=https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/HANDBOOK-ON-PROTOCOL-IN-THE-UNIVERSITY-OF-THE-PHILIPPINES-2005_.pdf |access-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909093300/https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/HANDBOOK-ON-PROTOCOL-IN-THE-UNIVERSITY-OF-THE-PHILIPPINES-2005_.pdf |url-status=live ))</ref> Appointed officials such as members of the [[Cabinet of the Philippines|Cabinet]] (secretaries, acting secretaries, ad interim secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries), the [[Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines|Solicitor General]], and heads of government agencies at the national and local levels are also accorded this style.<ref name="UP_hnbk_2">((cite book |editor1-last=Alfonso |editor1-first=Oscar M. |title=Handbook on Protocol in the University of the Philippines |date=2005 |publisher=Office of the Secretary of the University, University of the Philippines System |location=Quezon City, Philippines |isbn=971-93031-1-5 |pages=52–67 |url=https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/HANDBOOK-ON-PROTOCOL-IN-THE-UNIVERSITY-OF-THE-PHILIPPINES-2005_.pdf |access-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909093300/https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/HANDBOOK-ON-PROTOCOL-IN-THE-UNIVERSITY-OF-THE-PHILIPPINES-2005_.pdf |url-status=live ))</ref> For example, a ''[[Barangay Kagawad|kagawad]]'' ([[barangay]] or village council member) named [[Juan de la Cruz]] will be referred to as ''The Honorable Juan de la Cruz''. In written form, the style may be shortened to "Hon." (e.g. ''Hon. Juan de la Cruz'').

The [[Vice-President of the Philippines|Vice-President]], [[Chief Justice of the Philippines|Chief Justice]], [[Ombudsman of the Philippines|Ombudsman]], Justices of the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines|Supreme Court]], [[Sandiganbayan]], and [[Court of Appeals of the Philippines|Court of Appeals]], and Trial Court Judges are also addressed in this honorific style.<ref name="UP_hnbk" /> Meanwhile, the [[President of the Philippines|President]] of the Philippines and Catholic Archbishops is always given the style [[Excellency|His/Her Excellency]].<ref name="UP_hnbk" />

===== Singapore =====
The [[Chief Justice of Singapore|Chief Justice]], Judges of Appeal, and Justices of the [[Supreme Court of Singapore|Supreme Court]],<ref>See, for example, the ((citation|title=Supreme Court e-Practice Directions|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/epde3363033f22f6eceb9b0ff0000fcc945.pdf#page=28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501114005/https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/epde3363033f22f6eceb9b0ff0000fcc945.pdf#page=28|archive-date=1 May 2017|publisher=[[Supreme Court of Singapore]]|date=23 February 2017|page=16 ("Forms of address"), paragraph 18)): "''The Honourable'' the Chief Justice, on the advice of the Council of Judges, has directed&nbsp;…"; and the ((Singapore legislation|title=Organised Crime Regulations|url=https://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;ident=ad98e5c9-15ff-4f29-b2a1-06fc1e6f41b1;orderBy=relevance;query=DocId%3A4ab12ddc-47b1-4862-a003-ec522dc3d088%20Depth%3A0%20Status%3Ainforce;rec=18|sltype=S|no=236|year=2016)), Schedule, Form 2: "To: ''The Honourable'' the Justices and Judicial Commissioners of the High Court in Singapore".</ref> and the Presiding Judge and District Judges of the [[State Courts of Singapore|State Courts]]<ref>See, for example, the ((Singapore legislation|title=Rules of Court|url=https://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;ident=cffb947a-e93e-4ad0-bccf-d3c52590dea4;page=0;query=DocId%3A9c08961a-718d-4fe6-b2e0-df0963d62b05%20Depth%3A0%20Status%3Ainforce;rec=0|sltype=R|no=5|ed=2014|archive-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506065159/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;ident=cffb947a-e93e-4ad0-bccf-d3c52590dea4;page=0;query=DocId:9c08961a-718d-4fe6-b2e0-df0963d62b05%20Depth:0%20Status:inforce;rec=0)), First Schedule, Form 238: "Before ''the Honourable'' District Judge".</ref> are conventionally addressed in formal settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''.

All former [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Ministers]] and current [[Parliament of Singapore|Members of the Singapore Parliament]] is formally addressed in international settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''.

The use of the honorific ''The Honourable'' to refer to the Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament is not required by the Standing Orders of Parliament,<ref>((citation|title=Standing Orders of Parliament (as amended on 19 October 2004)|url=https://www.parliament.gov.sg/Publications/SO-merge%20with%20SO%20notes.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509010912/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/Publications/SO-merge%20with%20SO%20notes.pdf|archive-date=9 May 2010|publisher=Parliament of Singapore|date=19 October 2004|access-date=2 November 2009|url-status=dead)).</ref> but during a 1988 parliamentary debate the [[Parliament of Singapore#Leader of the House|Leader of the House]], [[Wong Kan Seng]], said it would be polite for MPs to refer to their colleagues using the terms "Mr.", "Honourable Mr." or "Honourable Minister" depending on their choice.<ref>((Singapore Hansard|mp=Wong Kan Seng|office=Leader of the House|title=Amendment of Standing Orders (Paper Parl. 4 of 1988)|url=https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/topic.jsp?currentTopicID=00061227-ZZ|date=11 August 1988|volume=51|columns=524 and 528)).</ref>

The honorific is usually also used to address the [[Attorney-General of Singapore|Attorney-General]] and Solicitors-General, and the heads of states and leaders of foreign countries on short-term visits to Singapore.<ref>See, for example, ((citation|author=S. Iswaran|author-link=S. Iswaran|title=Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), at the Official Opening of the Australian Landing Pad in Singapore, on Monday, 13 March 2017, 1040 Hrs, at BASH (79 Ayer Rajah Crescent)|url=https://www.gov.sg/~/sgpcmedia/media_releases/mti/speech/S-20170313-2/attachment/Opening%20address%20by%20Min%20Iswaran%20at%20the%20Australian%20Landing%20Pad%20launch%20in%20Singapore.pdf|publisher=[[Government of Singapore]]|date=13 March 2017)): "''The Honourable'' Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia,&nbsp;…".</ref>

==Non-governmental use==
Private, non-profit, and non-governmental (NGO) organisations, and religious movements sometimes style a leader or founder as ''The Honourable'', e.g. ''The Honourable [[Elijah Muhammad]]''.

==See also==
* [[Honour (style)]]
* [[Honorary degree]] (also uses the abbreviation "Hon" in front of that of the degree, e.g. Hon [[DLitt]])
* [[The Most Honourable]]
* [[The Right Honourable]]
* [[The Much Honoured]]
* [[Worship (style)]]

== References ==
((Reflist))

==External links==
((Wikisource1911Enc|Honourable))
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613183535/https://caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_instruments/agreement_occ.jsp Caricom.org] (archived 13 June 2010)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20031227180316/https://www.washingtonlife.com/backissues/archives/99nov/honorables.htm Washingtonlife.com] (archived 27 December 2003)
* [https://www.bartleby.com/95/27.html Bartleby.com]

((DEFAULTSORT:Honourable, The))
[[Category:Styles (forms of address)]]

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