Joining Procedures

New Liveryman joining procedures

(Download a leaflet containing details of the joining process. Download the Membership form. Download the Proposer/Seconder forms.)

Administration

The Court administers the Livery. Livery joining procedures are conducted at Court Meetings which take place before formal Dinners. There are normally five Court Meetings per year when oath-taking ceremonies take place: in November, January, April, July and mid September. Persons attending Court Meetings to join the Livery must present themselves at the appropriate hall at least 45 minutes prior to the start time of the reception.

Election

Papers nominating, proposing and seconding a Candidate are collated by the Membership Committee and forwarded to the Clerk to be included in the next Court meeting agenda. Agenda are sent to Court Members two weeks prior to the Court Meeting At the Court Meeting, Candidates' applications are reviewed and the Election process takes place. Candidates do not attend this Court Meeting.

Freedom of the Livery

After Election, the Candidate will be advised by the Clerk to attend the next Court Meeting to be Sworn to the Freedom of the Livery, and attend the Dinner/Lunch that follows as a guest of the Company. Freemen may not bring guests to Livery functions.

The Candidate forwards Gift Aid and Direct Debit Forms, plus the Joining Fine, to the Clerk who will provide the Candidate with a certificate, which confirms that the individual is a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers.

Freedom of the City of London

The Freeman of the Livery now makes arrangements to attend Guildhall (the Chamberlain's Court) on two occasions to obtain the Freedom of the City of London. The first visit is to apply for the freedom. The second, generally a month or so later, is for the Ceremony of Admission. Applications and admissions must be made in person. The telephone number for making these arrangements is: 020 7332 1306

Liveryman Status

Once a Freeman of the City of London, the Candidate may be "Clothed" in the Livery of the Company, thereby becoming a Liveryman. This ceremony takes place ideally at the Court Meeting immediately following attainment of the Freedom of the City of London. Freemen, becoming Liverymen at this Court Meeting may bring one guest to witness this oath-taking ceremony and as many guests as desired to the Dinner. However, on this and subsequent occasions, dinners must be privately funded.

As a Liveryman, the individual may invite guests to all Livery functions, become a member of various Livery Committees including the Court and after one year the new Liveryman may vote at the Election of the Lord Mayor. During the first year of being a freeman/liveryman of the Company new members are requested to wear their gold pins at formal functions together with a strip of Livery ribbon. This is to help identify new members and to ensure that they are looked after and introduced to other Liverymen.