In 1685, King James II granted a charter defining the constitution of the city in great detail and this is the charter at present in force. The charter of 1685 ordained that the style of the city should be the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Chichester, who should have a common seal; that there should be a high steward, a mayor, a bailiff, portreeves, customers, aldermen, a recorder and his deputy, and a town clerk who should all form part of the common council.
The common council has the power to make laws and statutes and dispose of lands and possessions and impose fines, punish and imprison offenders; that the common council should assemble in the Guildhall on Monday.
The council, annually, elects a mayor and bailiff out of its number as well as the recorder and town clerk. Subsequently, the mayor selects fit men to serve the offices of portreeve, customer, and serjeant-at-arms, while the previous mayor and three senior aldermen are traditionally nominated by the common council as justices of the peace in the city and precincts. The mayor serves as escheator. Moreover, there are nine aldermen; the earl of Sussex and thirty-nine others serving as portreeves.
The mayor and council have no power within the Cathedral district.
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