Head of the Wizengamot

The Head of the Wizengamot is the title for the presiding officer of the Wizengamot, the high court of law for the wizarding community in Great Britain. The official and formal title for this position is Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. It is a role of considerable influence and prestige within the Ministry of Magic and wizarding society at large. The most prominent known holder of this title during the events of the series was Albus Dumbledore.

The history of the office, as chronicled in the novels, is intrinsically linked to the career of Albus Dumbledore. He held the post of Chief Warlock for many years prior to 1995. On 12 August 1995, Dumbledore was dismissed from the Wizengamot and stripped of the title of Chief Warlock by order of the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. This was a political manoeuvre intended to discredit Dumbledore following his public announcement of Lord Voldemort's return. Following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in June 1996, where Voldemort's return was witnessed by Ministry of Magic officials, Dumbledore was fully exonerated and reinstated to the position of Chief Warlock. It is unknown who held the position during the interim period between Dumbledore's dismissal and reinstatement, or who succeeded him after his death in 1997.

The position of Head of the Wizengamot projects an appearance of supreme judicial authority and solemnity. The office demands a personality characterised by wisdom, impartiality, and an unwavering commitment to justice. The Head of the Wizengamot is the public face of the wizarding judiciary, responsible for maintaining order and decorum during high-profile trials, such as the disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter in 1995. While not explicitly described, the Head presumably wears the same official uniform as other members of the court: plum-coloured robes with an elaborate silver 'W' embroidered on the left-hand side of the chest.

Holding the post of Chief Warlock requires a specific set of skills and deep knowledge, including but not limited to:

• Expertise in Wizarding law: A comprehensive understanding of the laws, precedents, and procedures governing the Wizengamot is essential for the role.
• Strong Leadership: The ability to preside over the entire court, question witnesses authoritatively, and guide the members of the Wizengamot to a verdict.
• Impartiality: The capacity to judge cases fairly, without personal bias. This was a point of contention for Cornelius Fudge, who accused Dumbledore of having a clear bias in favour of Harry Potter during his trial.
• Powerful Magic: While not a formal prerequisite, the fact that a wizard of Albus Dumbledore's legendary calibre held the post suggests that significant magical ability and a respected reputation are expected.

The primary possession associated with the role is the title itself: Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. The office carries the authority to lead court sessions and call for votes from the members. While courtrooms often feature items like a gavel to call for order, no such specific object is mentioned in the novels as belonging to the Chief Warlock. The plum-coloured robes of the Wizengamot are the official attire for all its members, including the Head.

• Ministry of Magic: The Wizengamot functions as the judiciary branch of the Ministry of Magic, technically falling under the purview of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The position of Chief Warlock is therefore subject to the authority of the Minister for Magic, who proved he had the power to dismiss Dumbledore. However, the role also carries its own independent authority in legal matters.
• International Confederation of Wizards: The position is separate from, but often compared to, the role of Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. Albus Dumbledore held both prestigious titles concurrently and was stripped of both by his political opponents in 1995 as part of the same smear campaign.

• The term Wizengamot is a portmanteau of wizard and Witenagemot. The Witenagemot was a political institution in Anglo-Saxon England whose name translates to “meeting of wise men,” which functioned as a council to the king. This name suggests the Wizengamot is an ancient and venerable institution.
• The title Chief Warlock combines Chief, meaning “leader,” with Warlock. While Warlock can sometimes carry dark connotations in folklore, in this context it is used as a formal, archaic title of respect for a powerful male wizard.

• J.K. Rowling has confirmed that the Wizengamot is the successor to the earlier Wizards' Council and predates the founding of the Ministry of Magic itself (Pottermore).
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the Wizengamot chamber is depicted as a large, circular, tiered courtroom deep within the Ministry of Magic. The political conflict between Dumbledore and Fudge during Harry Potter's trial is a key scene, though the formal titles of Chief Warlock and the political implications of Dumbledore's removal are not as heavily emphasized as in the novel (film).