Middle Temple

Middle Temple. It is one of the four Inns of Court in London with the exclusive right to call individuals to the Bar of England and Wales. Located in the Temple area, it shares the historic Temple Church with Inner Temple and has been a centre for legal education and practice since the medieval period. The Inn is renowned for its Elizabethan hall, extensive library, and gardens, and counts numerous influential barristers, judges, and political figures among its members.

History

The origins are intertwined with the Knights Templar, who originally occupied the land before their dissolution in 1312. Following this, the property was granted to the Knights Hospitaller, and legal scholars began renting chambers, forming the early societies that evolved into the Inns of Court. Formal records date from 1501, with the Inn playing a significant role during the English Reformation and the Elizabethan era. Its hall, completed around 1573, hosted the first recorded performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in 1602. The Inn survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz, with substantial restoration in the 19th and 20th centuries, maintaining its continuous function in the English legal system.

Structure and governance

The Inn is an unincorporated association governed by its Masters of the Bench, or benchers, who are predominantly senior judges and eminent barristers. The senior bencher is the Treasurer, elected annually to lead the Inn’s governance. Major decisions are made in formal meetings known as Parliaments. The day-to-day administration is managed by the Under Treasurer and a professional staff. This structure is similar to that of its neighbour, Inner Temple, and the other Inns, with ultimate authority over calling to the bar and discipline of members resting with the benchers.

Buildings and gardens

The estate contains a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the centrepiece being the late-16th century Middle Temple Hall, famed for its double hammer-beam roof and carved screen. The Middle Temple Library, founded in 1641 and rebuilt after damage in World War II, holds a significant collection of legal and historical texts. Notable chambers buildings include Farrar’s Building and Pump Court. The Inn is celebrated for its gardens, including the Master’s Garden and the River Thames terrace, famously referenced in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part 1. Much of the precinct was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and later architects like Edward Maufe.

Membership and notable members

Membership comprises students, barristers, and benchers. Historically, it has been associated with many pivotal figures in law and politics. Notable barristers and judges include William Blackstone, author of the Commentaries on the Laws of England, and Thomas More, the former Lord Chancellor. Fictional member Bridget Jones is also noted. Distinguished political members encompass several Prime Ministers such as Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, and John Major, as well as international figures like the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Fictional members include Bridget Jones.

Education and training

The Inn is responsible for the education and qualification of barristers, a role shared with the other Inns of Court. It provides advocacy training, mooting competitions, and a series of qualifying sessions, which include lectures, dinners, and networking events. The Bar Course is a core component, and the Inn offers scholarships, such as the Queen’s Scholarship, to support students. The Middle Temple Library serves as a key academic resource. This training system has evolved from the medieval apprenticeship model to a modern, structured curriculum overseen by the Bar Standards Board.

Role in the legal profession

As one of the four Inns, it holds a central and historic position in the legal profession in England and Wales. It maintains the exclusive authority to call qualified individuals to the Bar of England and Wales, granting them the right to practise as barristers. The Inn also plays a crucial role in setting professional standards, disciplining members, and contributing to the development of common law through its judges and practitioners. It engages with the senior courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and fosters international legal connections.