Join us for the 198th Fall Opening of the Courts, a signature event that brings together members of the bench and bar to mark the beginning of the legal year, honour our colleagues, and celebrate our shared commitment to justice, service, and community.
This annual tradition is one of reflection and connection — an opportunity to recognize excellence, remember those we have lost, and welcome the year ahead together.
This special evening includes a formal procession, a meaningful ceremony recognizing award recipients and colleagues we’ve lost, a reception to reconnect with peers, and an optional Bench & Bar dinner to close the evening.
MLA Awards & Community Tributes
We will present the 2026 MLA Awards in the categories of:
- Distinguished Service
- Rising Star
- Access to Justice
- Philanthropy
- Distinguished Paralegal
We will also take a moment to remember and honour members of the Middlesex legal community who have passed since our last gathering.
Preliminary Program Overview
We’re pleased to share a preview of the evening’s flow:
- Procession from the London Courthouse to Museum London at 4:30pm
- Ceremony in Centre at the Forks South (speakers & awards) at 5:00pm
- Reception in the Atrium at Museum London from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
- Bench & Bar Dinner in the Community Gallery at Museum London from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Note: Final program will be confirmed and shared with registrants in advance of the event. Justice partners joining the procession are asked to attend in robes or uniform.
Key Note Speaker- Tom Teahen, CEO, Law Society of Ontario
Registration Options: This year, all components are part of one unified registration form. Please choose the option that best reflects your plans:
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Registration Type
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Includes
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Fee
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Ceremony & Reception Only
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Procession, Ceremony, Reception (no dinner)
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Free
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Full Evening – MLA Member
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All components including dinner
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$155 + HST
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Full Evening – Non-Member
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All components including dinner
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$185 + HST
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Full Evening – Articling Student / Law Clerk
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All components including dinner
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$85 + HST
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Full evening refers to the reception and Bench & Bar dinner. The dinner includes a plated meal, wine service, and gratuities. All dinner attendees must register in advance – no tickets will be available at the door.
Space is limited to 200 attendees for the Ceremony & Reception and 120 seats for the Dinner portion of the evening. We strongly encourage early registration to avoid disappointment. Once capacity is reached, registration will close automatically.
Questions
For any questions, please contact the Middlesex Law Association at admin@middlaw.on.ca. We are still seeking sponsors, if you firm is interested.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Lead Sponsor
Reception Sponsors
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