The Wizengamot

The Wizengamot is the high court of law and parliament for the wizarding community of Great Britain. It is an ancient and powerful institution, predating the Ministry of Magic itself. The Wizengamot functions as the supreme judicial body, conducting formal trials for the most serious magical crimes, and also serves as the wizarding world's legislative assembly. Its authority and impartiality were significantly challenged during the Second Wizarding War under the political influence of Cornelius Fudge and later, the control of Lord Voldemort.

The origins of the Wizengamot are ancient, with its name suggesting roots in Anglo-Saxon England. It is composed of a large body of esteemed witches and wizards, who are referred to as members of the Wizengamot. During the aftermath of the First Wizarding War, the Wizengamot conducted trials for captured Death Eaters. In a Pensieve memory, Harry Potter witnessed the trial of Igor Karkaroff, where Albus Dumbledore presided as Chief Warlock and Barty Crouch Sr. represented the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. By 1995, the Wizengamot was convened for a disciplinary hearing against Harry Potter for his use of the Patronus Charm in the presence of a Muggle. This was an unusual application of its power for a minor offence, orchestrated by Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge in an attempt to discredit Harry. The hearing took place in Courtroom Ten within the dungeons of the Ministry of Magic. Over fifty members were in attendance, including Amelia Bones, Dolores Umbridge, and Percy Weasley, who acted as scribe. The political manipulation of the Wizengamot was evident, though Harry was ultimately cleared of all charges thanks to the testimony of Albus Dumbledore and Arabella Figg. Following Dumbledore's death and the fall of the Ministry of Magic to Lord Voldemort in 1997, the Wizengamot fell completely under the control of the new regime. It was used to persecute Muggle-born witches and wizards through the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, which was headed by Dolores Umbridge.

Members of the Wizengamot are distinguished by their formal attire: plum-coloured robes with an ornate silver 'W' embroidered on the left-hand side of the chest. The procedures of a Wizengamot trial are formal and structured:

1. The accused is seated in a central chair in the middle of the courtroom, which is often equipped with magical chains on its arms that are largely symbolic for standard hearings.
2. The session is presided over by a high-ranking official. While Cornelius Fudge presided over Harry's hearing, Albus Dumbledore noted that this was irregular and that the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (Amelia Bones) should have been the interrogator.
3. A formal reading of the charges is conducted.
4. Witnesses may be called to give testimony.
5. Following the presentation of evidence and testimony, the members of the Wizengamot cast their votes for or against conviction by a show of hands.
6. A court scribe is present to take detailed notes of the entire proceedings.

The Wizengamot holds significant judicial and legislative power in the British wizarding world.

• Judicial Authority: As the high court, it is responsible for trying the most severe criminal cases. This includes trials of dark wizards like Death Eaters. Its authority also extends to disciplinary hearings, as seen with Harry Potter's case, although this was a politically motivated abuse of its function.
• Legislative Authority: While less detailed in the primary texts, the Wizengamot functions as a legislative body, responsible for creating and amending wizarding laws. Albus Dumbledore's positions as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards gave him considerable political influence.

The Wizengamot has several key positions and has included many prominent witches and wizards among its members.

• Chief Warlock/Witch: The leader of the Wizengamot. Albus Dumbledore held this post for many years before being temporarily voted out in 1995 and reinstated in 1996.
• Scribe: A junior position responsible for keeping the official record of proceedings. Percy Weasley held this role during Harry's hearing.
• Members: Membership is composed of many, often elderly, witches and wizards. Notable members included:
  • Albus Dumbledore
  • Amelia Bones (as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement)
  • Griselda Marchbanks
  • Tiberius Ogden
  • Dolores Umbridge (as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister)

The Wizengamot and the Ministry of Magic are the two central pillars of wizarding governance in Great Britain. Historically, the Wizengamot predates the Ministry. While the two bodies are intertwined, they are meant to be separate. The Minister for Magic holds executive power, while the Wizengamot holds judicial and legislative power. However, the relationship can be fraught with political tension. Cornelius Fudge used his position as Minister to heavily influence the Wizengamot, acting as prosecutor and judge in Harry's trial. The presence of Ministry officials like Dolores Umbridge and Percy Weasley shows the close operational ties. The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is a key figure in both institutions. The ease with which Lord Voldemort's regime took control of the Wizengamot after seizing the Ministry suggests its independence was fragile.

The name Wizengamot is a portmanteau. It is derived from the historical Anglo-Saxon term Witenagemot, which was an assembly of the ruling class in medieval England. The Old English word witan meant “wise men,” and gemot meant “meeting” or “assembly.” Therefore, “Wizengamot” can be interpreted as the “meeting of the wise,” a fitting name for the wizarding world's council and high court.

J.K. Rowling confirmed on the Pottermore website that the Wizengamot predates the Ministry of Magic, having evolved from the earlier Wizards' Council. The title of Chief Warlock is therefore an older and more prestigious title than that of Minister for Magic. (Pottermore)