Chief justice \Chief" jus"tice\ The presiding justice, or principal judge, of a court. [1913 Webster] {Lord Chief Justice of England}, The presiding judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. The highest judicial officer of the realm is the Lord High Chancellor. {Chief Justice of the United States}, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court, and Highest judicial officer of the republic. [1913 Webster]