JUDGES, solicitors and barristers bowed to a higher authority at a special event at Bradford Cathedral on Sunday.

All the judiciary, including high court judges and magistrates from throughout West Yorkshire gathered for the legal service to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and the Judeo-Christian foundation of UK law and the legal system.

This year the Right Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, was welcomed as the preacher.

Last year’s service, which fell in the cathedral’s centenary year, featured the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Right Hon Dr John Sentamu.

The Revd Canon Paul Maybury, of Bradford Cathedral, said: "We are honoured to welcome representatives of the judiciary and legal profession to the Annual Legal Service.

"It is a wonderful spectacle to behold.

"This Bradford tradition goes from strength to strength, year on year.”

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Jerry Lepine, led the service and the cathedral choir led the hymn singing and offered an anthem.