Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court—professional associations for barristers in England and Wales—situated in the City of London. Along with the Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn, it has the exclusive authority to call qualified lawyers to the Bar, thereby granting them the right to practise as barristers.
Location
Middle Temple occupies a historic precinct on the west bank of the River Thames, bounded by Fleet Street to the north, the River Thames to the south, and the Inner Temple to the east. The area covers roughly 20 acres (approximately 8 hectares) and includes a complex of chambers, gardens, a library, a chapel, and the 16th‑century Middle Temple Hall.
Historical background
The land originally formed part of the medieval estate of the Knights Templar, a Catholic military order established in the early 12th century. After the suppression of the Templars in 1312, the property passed to the Knights Hospitaller. In the early 14th century, the area was divided between the two “Temples” that developed under the jurisdiction of the English Crown: the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple.
The earliest surviving records of the Middle Temple date to 1388, when it began to function as a distinct society of lawyers and legal apprentices. Over the subsequent centuries, the Inn expanded its facilities, notably constructing the present Middle Temple Hall in 1561 under the direction of the architect Edward Young. The Hall’s timber‑frame interior and its wooden hammerbeam roof are regarded as exemplary of Tudor architecture.
Governance and membership
Middle Temple is governed by a body of senior members known as Benchers (or Masters of the Bench). Benchers are experienced barristers or judges who are elected to oversee the Inn’s administration, education programmes, and disciplinary matters. Membership is divided into three categories:
- Student members – law students undertaking the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or its successors.
- Barristers – qualified lawyers who have been "called to the Bar" by the Inn.
- Honorary members – individuals granted the honorary status of Bencher in recognition of distinguished service to the law or public life.
Functions and activities
Middle Temple’s primary functions are:
- Call to the Bar – conferring the status of barrister upon candidates who have completed the required academic, vocational and pupillage training.
- Legal education – offering a range of continuing‑professional‑development courses, advocacy workshops, and seminars.
- Chambers provision – providing office space (known as “chambers”) for practising barristers.
- Library and research – maintaining a legal library with historic and contemporary legal texts.
- Civic and charitable work – supporting the Middle Temple Charitable Foundation, which funds scholarships, legal aid, and community projects.
Facilities
Key facilities within the Inn include:
- Middle Temple Hall – a historic courtroom and banquet hall used for formal ceremonies, including the Call to the Bar, as well as for concerts and public events.
- The Chapel of St. George – a 17th‑century chapel serving as a place of worship and remembrance for members.
- The Library – containing a collection of legal manuscripts, printed law reports, and rare volumes dating back to the 16th century.
- Gardens – landscaped open spaces that host formal events and provide a tranquil environment for members.
Notable members
Throughout its history, Middle Temple has been associated with numerous prominent legal figures, including:
- Sir Edward Coke (1552–1634), influential jurist and author of Coke’s Reports.
- Sir William Blackstone (1723–1780), author of Commentaries on the Laws of England.
- Lord Denning (1899–1999), famed judge of the Court of Appeal.
- Baroness Hale of Richmond (b. 1945), former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Cultural significance
Middle Temple’s architectural heritage, historic library, and enduring role in the English legal system make it a site of considerable cultural and scholarly interest. The Inn features in literature, film, and academic studies concerning the development of common law and legal professionalisation.
References
- “Inns of Court.” The Bar Council of England and Wales.
- “Middle Temple.” Historic England listing.
- Baker, J. H. A History of the English Common Law. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2019.
This article presents a concise, factual overview of Middle Temple based on established historical and legal sources.