Foys' Liam Bawden Represents CILEX at the Opening of the Legal Year

Liam attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 1 October following a personal invitation from CILEX President, Sara Fowler, who approached him directly to ask him to join the Institute's small delegation.

With CILEX representing more than 21,000 members, Liam was part of a five-person delegation alongside CILEX President Sara Fowler, Vice-President Kim Findlow, Chief Executive Jennifer Coupland and Chartered Legal Executive Probate Practitioner Antonia Ridley-Hughes.

The invitation recognised Liam's support for the CILEX route into the legal profession, as well as his wider work championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the profession.

The Opening of the Legal Year is one of the most historic events in the legal calendar and marks the formal beginning of the judicial year in England and Wales.

The day began at the Supreme Court Café, where the CILEX group met before making their way to Westminster Abbey.

Liam and his fellow CILEX representatives then took part in the procession through Westminster Abbey ahead of the service, joining around 700 members of the judiciary, legal profession and other senior national and international representatives gathered for the occasion.

Following the service, they travelled to the Houses of Parliament for the traditional Opening of the Legal Year lunch, hosted by the Lord Chancellor.

It was there that Liam also had the opportunity to meet The Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond, former President of the Supreme Court and one of the most recognisable figures in the modern history of the UK judiciary – a particularly memorable moment in an already extraordinary day.

"There were so many moments during the day where I had to remind myself just how fortunate I was to be there. Meeting The Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond at the Houses of Parliament was definitely one of them. She is someone who has genuinely made legal history, and having the opportunity to meet her was incredibly special.

Taking part in the procession through Westminster Abbey was special for a different reason. I was very conscious that I was there representing CILEX and a route into the profession that I'm incredibly proud of.

To be personally invited by the CILEX President and to be one of only five people representing an organisation of more than 21,000 members was a huge privilege. Looking around Westminster Abbey at some of the most senior figures in the judiciary and legal profession, while being there as a CILEX representative, was a real ‘wow' moment for me.

I'm passionate about making the legal profession more accessible and showing that there isn't one 'right' background or route into law. Being there representing CILEX felt like a very visible example of that."

Liam joined Foys Solicitors in 2024 and works within the firm's Dispute Resolution team, where his practice includes contentious matters, litigation and advocacy.

He currently holds CILEX Advanced Paralegal status and is continuing his professional development through CILEX, to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator & Advocate, and CILEX Lawyer.

Outside of his work at Foys, Liam is actively involved in the wider legal community in Doncaster and has been a vocal advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion across the profession. This is recognised by his recent appointment as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer of the Doncaster & District Law Society.

His attendance at the Opening of the Legal Year also reflects something Foys strongly believes in: there is no single route into a successful career in law.

The profession is strengthened by people entering it through different educational routes, professional qualifications, backgrounds and experiences. Foys is proud to support colleagues as they develop their careers and to champion a legal profession in which talent and ability are able to flourish, regardless of the route taken to get there.

For Liam, being one of five people chosen to represent CILEX on one of the biggest ceremonial occasions in the legal calendar was both a career milestone and an opportunity to represent that message on a national stage

Congratulations, Liam, on a fantastic achievement and on representing both CILEX and Foys Solicitors at the Opening of the Legal Year.