Rules and Guidance

Middle Temple has a gender neutral dress code.

Events in Hall are formal occasions and everyone attending should be appropriately dressed, having regard to the nature of the occasion. If you bring guests, please remember to make them aware of the dress code.

Business Attire

Where Business Attire is specified, members and guests should wear a dark suit, with shirt and tie or blouse, or a dark dress which should cover the shoulders and be of appropriate length for the occasion. A good rule of thumb would be to aim for the kind of clothes you would wear in court.

Tie Policy

Where a Business Suit is worn with a shirt with collar you are expected to wear a tie.[If a Student Member has not followed this rule then the duty Front of House Officer will offer a tie from the Inn’s collection. This does not mean that you should purposefully attend without a tie.]

Black Tie

When Black Tie is specified, members and guests should wear a black dinner suit with a white dress shirt and bow tie, or equivalent (for example; cocktail dress, long or knee length, with shoulders covered). Highland dress or dress uniform (with decorations) are permitted.

The dress code for Grand Day and Annual Hall Dinner is Black Tie.

Black Tie is also preferred on Private Guest Nights and the Reader’s Feast, although business suit is acceptable in Hall.

Smart Casual

When Smart Casual is specified, this means that the dress code is less formal than business/lounge suit, but means specifically no jeans or trainers. For example trousers/skirt with a smart top, a dress, or trousers with a button-down shirt and jacket. A tie is optional. Shoes should be smart. Members do not wear gowns.

Gowns

Please check the dress code for each specific event to see whether gowns should be worn.

• Student gowns are provided by the Inn and are available from the cloakrooms. They must be returned at the end of the evening.
• Barrister members are required to provide their own gowns. Gowns are provided for Benchers.
• Gowns are not worn by guests.

Lectures and Sunday Lunch

The regulations for Lectures and Sunday Lunch are not as strict since gowns need not be worn, but members and their guests should wear smart clothing.

Lunch (weekdays)

Lunch is an informal meal and the dining regulations do not apply. Members should bear in mind, however, that Hall is the luncheon room of a professional body. The dress code is business or lounge suits, court dress or smart casual dress. Jeans may be worn if both clean and smart. We will not permit guests who are wearing: trainers, shorts, T-shirts, ripped or dirty clothing.

Middle Temple reserves the right to refuse entrance to the Hall, without refund, if guests do not follow the dress code accordingly.