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Sunderland law firm at Westminster Abbey
| Author: Roger Heywood | Published: 25th November 2009 20:01 |
Cullen Hammond Solicitors of Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland have been rubbing shoulders with the "Big Wigs" of the legal world in London.
Gillian Hammond of Sunderland's Cullen Hammond Solicitors is one of the first Legal Executives to be made a Partner in a law firm in England and Wales. Gillian was formally invited by the House of Lords to attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey to mark the start of the legal year on the 1st October 2009. Gillian became a Partner in the Doxford Park based law firm, Cullen Hammond in April 2009.
The History behind the Ceremony
The service in Westminster Abbey dates back to the Middle Ages when Judges prayed for guidance at the start of the legal term. Judges, whose Courts were held in Westminster Hall, left the City and walked to the Abbey to take part in the service. Before the Reformation, it was customary to fast for several hours before taking communion during the service. After the ceremony the Lord Chancellor would offer the Judge some food to break their fast before they took their seat in Court, hence the term "breakfast".
The Present Day Ceremonies
The ceremonies are now more or less as they have always been but instead of the two mile walk from the Royal Courts of Justice to Westminster Abbey, the Judges now travel by car.
The 45 minute service which starts at 11.30am is conducted by the Dean of Westminster.
Gillian and the remainder of her party, another legal executive partner and two legal executive advocates, together with ILEX Council members and the Chief Executive of ILEX, Diane Burleigh left their hotel at 10.30am They arrived at Westminster Abbey at 10.45. By that time many Judges had congregated outside St Margarets Church having walked briefly from the Supreme Court.
Gillian and her party were shown to the Nave where all the Judges waited. The Organist then began to play Bach and the process of Judges began to move through the Nave in single file.
Once everyone was seated the service began. Lessons were read by The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP; and the Lord Chief Justice, The Rt Hon The Lord Judge. The preacher was the Reverend Dr Jane Hedges, Canon of Westminster. Prayers were led by the Revd Michael Macey, Minor Canon of Westminster. The service was sung by the Choir "D".
After the service Gillian and her party all proceeded to the House of Commons for a light lunch. Gillian said, of the day
It was a truly memorable experience - a real privilege"
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