The VERDERERS are a group of ten people appointed to manage and administer the laws of the forest. The Official Verderer or chairman is appointed by the Monarch, 5 are elected and represent the Commoners and the remaining 4 Verderers are appointed by the Forestry Commission, DEFRA, The National Park Authority and Natural England.
The AGISTERS are employees of the Verderers and are responsible for assisting in the welfare and management of the Commoners livestock. These people are highly skilled and have a good working knowledge of the forest.
The COMMONERS are people who occupy property or land that have specific rights attached to it, such as the right of pasture (known as the 'right of common of pasture'). This right allows their livestock to graze within the New Forest, after being branded for identification purposes and upon payment of a marking fee.
