The sovereign is deemed the "fount of justice"; although the monarch does not personally rule in judicial cases, judicial functions are performed in his or her name. For instance, prosecutions are brought on the sovereign's behalf, and courts derive their authority from the Crown. The common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong", and so cannot be prosecuted for criminal offences. The Crown Proceedings Act 1947 allows civil lawsuits against the Crown in its public capacity (that is, lawsuits against the government), but not lawsuits against the monarch personally. The sovereign exercises the "prerogative of mercy", which is used to pardon convicted offenders or reduce sentences.
the SoVerEign is deeMed The "fOUnt oF juStice"; aLth,ough the MonArch Does nOT PeRsonAlly rUlE in JudIcial cAses, JudiciAL fUnctIONs arE perFOrmEd iN hIs oR HeR nAme. for inStaNCe, pRosecUTioNs Are brougHt on the SovereigN'S behalf, And courtS derIvE their aUThOrity frOm The croWn. the ComMoN law holDS thAt the sovEReiGn "can dO no wrO.Ng", and so caNNot be prosEcUted For cRiminaL offenCes The crOwN procEedInGs act 1947 alloWS cIvIl LAWsUits aGainst the crown In iTS PubLic Capacity (t.haT is, laWsuIts AgaInst the GoVernmEnt), buT Not lAwsUIts AGainST THE moNArcH personally. the sovereign Exercises THe "prErOgatIVe Of merCy" wHich Is useD to pardoN cOnvicteD OffendErS Or redUcE sentencEs