The Middle Temple Charity

Much of the activity of Middle Temple is charitable, most visibly through the provision of scholarships and awards to students and pupil barristers of about £1,000,000 a year. Many of us benefitted from those scholarships, without which, embarking upon a career at the Bar would have been very difficult, if not impossible. The need is growing rather than diminishing as students enter their studies for professional qualifications, encumbered by substantial debt. The Inn also provides extensive professional education and advocacy training.

In 2023, Middle Temple established a new charity, which was registered in 2024 with a view to raising further funds to support all of its charitable activities. The core of those activities is the education and training of students and barristers in the administration and practice of the law of England and Wales, and financial support for the maintenance and preservation of the heritage of Middle Temple.   

The launch of the charity followed the 450^th anniversary of Middle Temple Hall, and for that reason, we launched the 1573 appeal. It struck a chord with many of our members and Benchers, quite a few of whom donated £1,573. The appeal raised about £470,000, and further donations and legacies now mean that the funds of the charity stand at roughly £570,000.

That is a very good start, but there is a long way to go.

This summer, the trustees are in a position to make the first grants. Bids are still being received. They come from all over the Inn, ranging from schemes to further enhance the education we offer to our students, to work on the estate, or to improve the library facilities, benefiting all our members. Our aim is to make grants and, at the same time, steadily build the capital reserves of the charity. This will require a more focused and imaginative approach to fundraising than the Inn has adopted until now.

Many of the scholarships and awards for students are funded from legacies and the gifts of individuals, which were invested and continue to generate income. Others come from the general funds of the Inn or the proceeds of historical appeals. In recent times, the Inn has largely relied on regular appeals to Benchers and members to augment those funds.

The charity is now developing a plan to foster regular giving, encourage legacies and generate funds from events as well as one-off donations. Ideas are always welcome.

We have a large potential donor base, but only a small part of it has been responsible for much of the fundraising in recent years. We have our Benchers and Honorary Benchers, practising members of the Bar and judiciary, as well as those who have retired. But there are also large numbers of members of the Inn who have gone on to other careers, both in the law and outside. They will not have forgotten us.

Work is underway to develop a scheme which will encourage families of those Called to the Bar by Middle Temple to become regular contributors and remain in contact with the Inn. We would also like to see practising members of the Bar, the judiciary and our wider membership making regular payments. Those who were awarded scholarships may be willing later in their careers to match the benefit they received, if circumstances allow, to enable new generations to follow in their footsteps.

The Inn receives a steady stream of legacies, some of which have been very generous indeed. Sooner or later, most of us will come to write wills, and we hope to cement the practice of remembering the Inn when doing so.

There will be much more, and you will be hearing from us. But do not wait if you wish to make a contribution, especially if you missed the 1573 Appeal. For those who still write cheques, they will be welcome in the Middle Temple Treasury Office. The charity also has its own website at middletemplecharity.org.uk through which donations may be made.

Master Ian Burnett
Chairman of the Trustees

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