Freedom of The City of London

To become a Liveryman you must first obtain Freedom of The City of London. The Clerk will assist you with this process which is not complex.

The Clerk will arrange for you to attend the Chamberlain’s Court at The Guildhall – to which he will accompany you – where an application for City Freedom is made. Candidates must present their FULL Birth Certificate, a copy of the Company Freedom Certificate (obtained in the office) and a fee of £100, payable at the Chamberlain’s Court. If you are already a Freeman of the City of London it will only be necessary to record the Freedom of the Company for a fee of £10.

Once the application has been made, your name will go forward for consideration at the next meeting of the Court of Aldermen of The City of London. When approved, the Chamberlain’s Court will invite you to The Guildhall again, this time to receive Freedom of The City of London. This is a more formal, but delightful ceremony, to which you may bring guests. The Clerk will require a copy of the City Freedom certificate which will be presented to you on this occasion.

Clothing

Members of a Livery company are “clothed” in the distinctive uniform of their trade. Clothing with the Carmen Livery is the climax of the whole membership process and can only take place once all of the stages above have been completed.

Clothing takes place four times a year at Court Meetings, after which a luncheon or dinner takes place. Prior to clothing an individual will be asked to:

• pay the Livery Fine (for those upgrading from Freeman to Liveryman within the first 12 months of being capped as a Freeman, the Fine paid as a Freeman is deducted),
• sign a Direct Debit for Annual Quarterage (the annual subscription) and
• make a voluntary annual contribution (preferably through Gift Aid) to The Carmen Benevolent Trust and/or The Carmen Heritage Trust.

On being clothed as a Liveryman, individuals will be given their Livery Warrant and the Company History. After the ceremony, the Court will join new members and their guests for refreshments. Many new members then continue their celebrations by attending the luncheon or dinner which follows, often in a unique setting.

Life in the Livery

Liverymen can apply to serve on the Company’s panels and committees which are of particular interest to them, where they may add expertise. In the first instance they should apply through the Clerk.

Eligibility for election to the Court of Assistants is available following three years as a Liveryman. Votes are cast by fellow Freemen and Liverymen and the process is wholly democratic.

Liverymen are eligible and encouraged to vote for Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor as part of their civic duty.

Liverymen and Freemen of the Company experience lifelong fellowship, are generous in charitable giving, and participate enthusiastically in the life of the Livery, they welcome the opportunity to serve the City of London Corporation and the wider community and enjoy the privilege of association with those who serve King and country.

Being a Liveryman is a long-term commitment and it is expected that individuals will support and assist the Company in any way that they can.