- Legal year
In
English law , the legal year is the calendar during which the judges sit in court. The year is divided into four terms: Michaelmas from October to December, Hilary from January to April, Easter from April to May andTrinity term from June to July. Between terms the Courts are in vacation and no trials are heard. The dates of the terms are determined in law by aPractice Direction in theCivil Procedure Rules .tart of the legal year
The legal year commences with a ceremony dating back to the
Middle Ages in which the judges arrive in a procession from the Temple Bar toWestminster Abbey for a religious service, followed by a reception known as theLord Chancellor s' breakfast which is held in Westminster Hall. Although in former times the judges walked the distance from Temple to Westminster, they now mostly arrive by car. The service is held by theDean of Westminster with the reading performed by the Lord Chancellor.The ceremony has been held continuously since the Middle Ages, with the exception of the years 1940 to 1946 because of
World War II . In 1953 it was held in St Margret's Church because Westminster Abbey was still decorated for the Coronation of Elizabeth II.External links
* [http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/keyfacts/legal_year/index.htm Legal year information from judiciary.gov.uk]
* [http://www.dca.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/contents/practice_directions/pd_part39b.htm Practice Direction setting out term dates]
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