Judges and other senior members of the legal profession were seen on walking between a service in Westminster Abbey and a reception at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 2 October.

The traditional events mark the start of the legal year in England and Wales.

The legal VIPs wore their traditional robes and, in some cases, wigs as they were led in their short walk by Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.

They had attended a religious service in Westminster Abbey -- a practice which dates from the Middle Ages, when the High Court was in Parliament's Westminster Hall and judges would go to the Abbey to pray for divine guidance at the start of the legal year.

The group then made their way over the road to a reception at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by the Lord Chancellor. That practice also dates from the Middle Ages, when it was common to fast before taking communion in church and so food would be offered to the hungry lawyers afterwards as 'breakfast'.

Parliament's website says: "Approximately 600 guests attend both events, with a further 300 attending the breakfast."

Judges from England and Wales, senior judicial officers, King's Counsel (KCs), overseas judges and lawyers, government ministers and others attend the ceremonies.

Members are legal profession led by Lord Chancelor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk are seen departing Westminster Abbey and artiving at Palace of Westminster after legal year openning ceremony.