<P> The Lord Chancellor is also the Keeper of the Queen's Conscience . As such, the Lord Chancellor was once also the chief judge of the Court of Chancery in London, dispensing equity to soften the harshness of the law . </P> <P> The Lord Chancellor acts as the Visitor of many universities, colleges, schools, hospitals and other charitable organisations throughout the United Kingdom . When the rules of the organisation do not designate a Visitor or, when a vacancy in the office arises, the Sovereign serves as Visitor, but delegates the functions to the Lord Chancellor . Furthermore, some organisations explicitly provide that the Lord Chancellor is to act as Visitor; these bodies include St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the Royal Institution, Newcastle University and three colleges of the University of Oxford (namely St. Antony's College, Worcester College, and University College). </P> <P> The power to appoint members of certain organisations is vested in the Lord Chancellor . These organisations include the governing bodies of Harrow School, Rugby School and Charterhouse School . </P> <P> The Lord High Chancellor outranks all other Great Officers of State, with the exception of the Lord High Steward, which has generally been vacant since the 15th century . Under modern conventions, the office of Lord High Steward is only filled on the day of a new monarch's coronation; thus, at all other times, the Lord Chancellor remains the highest ranking Great Officer . The importance of the office is reflected by the Treason Act 1351, which makes it high treason to slay the Lord Chancellor . A Lord High Treasurer would be entitled to the same protection--but the office is now held in commission--as would a judge whilst actually in court, determining a case . </P>

Where does the lord chancellor sit in the house of lords