Legal year starts

The annual procession of judges from the Royal Courts of Justice to Westminster Abbey, arriving at 10.30am, to mark the beginning of the legal year will take place on 1 October. The judges travel the two-mile distance by car. This will be followed by the lord chancellor’s breakfast in the Great Hall in the Houses of Parliament. About 1,000 people will attend the service, and 500 will attend breakfast. The term dates are: Michaelmas (1 October–21 December 2009); Hilary (11 January–31 March 2010); Easter (13 April–28 May); and Trinity (8 June–30 July).