Meetings of the Middle Temple Historical Society are open to all members, staff, friends of the Inn, and their guests, who are welcome to attend a meeting before becoming members. We meet four times a year, usually in the Bench apartments for drinks at 6.15 pm followed by an informal buffet supper and a talk on a historical topic, usually with a legal theme. Meetings finish at 9.15 pm. Some events organised by the Society are designated as Qualifying Sessions. When an event is a Qualifying Session, if a student is attending in-person, it is mandatory that they attend the wine reception to receive the Qualifying Session.
Attendance at the lecture and wine reception will cost £30; the cost of the lecture, wine reception, and the two-course supper buffet with wine is £60.
Dates, times, and format of the lecture can be found on the “Events” page of the Middle Temple website.
Those who are not members of the Inn or who are unable to book on-line may book by contacting the Treasury Office.
For the Attention of Benchers, ticket costs can be charged to your Bench Bill.
Membership of the Middle Temple Historical Society costs £10 a year and enquiries should be made to the Membership Secretary at: mths@middletemple.org.uk
Forthcoming Events.
Lord Judge Memorial Lecture in Legal History. November 20, 2024
Prof. Sir John Baker KC (Hon), LLD, FBA, Emeritus Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge, will deliver the inaugural Lord Judge Memorial Lecture in Legal History, entitled “The Royal Prerogative and the Judges” in the Great Hall of Middle Temple at 6.15 pm.This event is a Qualifying Session for students.
The Legacy of Edward Carson. March 4, 2025.
A mini-symposium on the Legacy of Edward Carson. This will comprise of HHJ Seán Enright, Mr. Michael Ashe KC, SC, and Prof. Lord Bew, delivering three (3) twenty minute lectures on various aspects of the life of Edward Carson, one of the most famous members of the Inn. Edward Carson was renowned as a barrister; however, his political legacy is contested on the island of Ireland, and his judicial legacy as a Law Lord, inconsequential. This promises to be a thought-provoking discussion on one of the most renowned Middle Templars of his day. The event will take place at 6.15 pm in the Queen’s Room.
The Court of Arches. March 26, 2025.
This is a joint event organised by the Middle Temple Historical Society and the Inner Temple Historical Society.
Prof. Norman Doe, KC (Hon), Director of the Centre for Law and Religion at Cardiff Law School, will deliver a twenty-five (25) minute lecture on the history of the Arches Court. Prof. Doe’s lecture will trace its development and the expansion of its jurisdiction in light of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Act 1532 and Ecclesiastical Appeals Act 1533; the role played by the court in matters such as the dissolution of marriage until its jurisdiction was transferred to the secular courts by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857; and the evolution of its personnel, its procedures, and its landmark decisions and their impact on English law.
Ms. Morag Ellis, KC, Dean of the Arches Court, will follow and deliver a twenty-five (25) minute lecture outlining the statutory basis that begets the present-day judicial authority of the court by reference to Public General Acts and Statutory Instruments passed by the Houses of Parliament, and the rule-making authority of the General Synod of the Church of England that inform its authority and jurisdiction.
This event will take place in Temple Church. Time to be confirmed.