Judges, barristers and magistrates congregate at Bradford Cathedral for service in honour of district's justice system

The Legal Service at Bradford Cathedral

The congregation held prayers for all those who work for justice in the city and district, as well as the victims of crime and abuse.

There were also prayers for those convicted of crimes, that they might receive support to mend their ways.

The Legal Service at Bradford Cathedral

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, welcomed the guests, who also included the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, MPs, Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson, Bradford District police commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin and Baroness Margaret Eaton.

Bradford District commander Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin arrives for Bradford Cathedral's Legal Service

The Dean said: "The numbers for this service are substantially up on previous years. That is very encouraging indeed and I hope that will continue in years to come."

Judge Roger Thomas QC, Recorder of Bradford, gave a reading from the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to a lawyer.

Baroness Margaret Eaton arrives for Bradford Cathedral's Legal Service

Professor Mark Hill QC, Diocesan Chancellor, then gave a sermon about the importance of the legal system both in the country and in the Church.

He said Christianity was not the only Abrahamic religion with a grand legal tradition, as these were also to be found in Islam and Judaism.

The Legal Service at Bradford Cathedral

Prof Hill said contrary to its interpretation in some elements of the media, Sharia law, properly read, contained "sophisticated concepts of human rights and due process".

"We can learn so much from those who are different from ourselves and it is noteworthy that in identifying the example of a good neighbour, Jesus chose an outsider and displaced migrant from Samaria," he said.