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<p /> <p /> <p>There has been no one who has received a pardon within England and
Wales by Letters Patent in the last 20 years. Neither have any Letters Close (or Litterae
Clausae) been issued by the Crown Office during the last 25 years.</p><p>Letters Patent
all pass under the Great Seal of the Realm and an entry for each is made in the Crown
Office Docquet Book (a record which is designated for permanent preservation). A Patent
Roll which sets out the text of the Letters Patent is also maintained by the Crown
Office, The Patent Roll entries are sent annually to the National Archives for permanent
preservation.</p><p>With regard to the final question, the wording, drafting, formatting,
production, approval and processing of Letters Patent is governed by:</p><ul><li>The
Crown Office Act 1877</li><li>The Great Seal Act 1884</li><li>The Crown Office (Forms
and Proclamations Rules) Order 1992 (SI 1992 No. 1730) as amended</li><li>The Crown
Office (Preparation and Authentication of Documents Rules) Order 1988 (SI 1988 No.
1162)</li></ul><p>An exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy is currently effected
by means of Warrant under the Royal Sign Manual. A record is maintained of all such
Warrants granted since the Lord Chancellor assumed responsibility for this remit from
the Home Secretary and these records are transferred to the National Archives from
time to time.</p>
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