Welcome to the 2025 edition of Middle Templar.
I hope you have all had some rest and relaxation over the summer.
COIC has recently produced a review of the evidence on the topic of the timing of Call, so we are likely to be discussing it this year. Expected this term is the Harman Review commissioned by the Bar Council. That too is likely to be discussed.
So far this year the Inn has Called 346 people to the Bar in seven ceremonies. These have been joyous occasions. It is wonderful to see young people at the beginning of their careers, to meet them and their very proud families. There are a further six ceremonies, taking place across Thursday 9 October and Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 November.
The Cumberland Lodge weekends continue to provide our students with a fantastic educational and social experience. These are in addition to the outstanding advocacy training and excellent Qualifying Sessions that are developed and delivered by the Education Department and many volunteer members and Benchers of the Inn to whom huge thanks are due. The Membership Committee is developing a plan with the Education Committee to provide one-hour CPD sessions alongside other social events, to allow members and Benchers to combine development with collegiality, in the traditions of the Inn.
Our trip to Dublin in May for the Four Jurisdictions Law Conference with our friends and Colleagues in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland – and of course England and Wales, was a great success. Excellent sessions on important and interesting topics, given by leaders in the various fields of expertise. And a couple of very enjoyable evenings off duty too. Look out for the dates of next year’s conference which will be in Edinburgh.
Back in March, it was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice, to deliver the first of this year’s Treasurer’s Lectures to a packed Hall. Her title was ‘Judicial Resilience’ which could not have been more timely, coinciding with heavy attacks on immigration judges in the media. This was a thoughtful and thought-provoking lecture, which ranged across the challenges facing the judiciary in the modern world, from misreporting to physical violence.
The second lecture was a lively conversation between two highly distinguished lawyers and parliamentarians: Daniel Greenberg CB, the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards and Master Bob Neill, former chair of the Justice Select Committee. Tackling the myriad issues which arose from the title, ‘Parliament and the Law: Constructive Tension or Dysfunctional Relationship?’, they sparked a stimulating discussion involving students, Hall members and Benchers, which continued over drinks afterwards.
In May, thanks to the efforts of Master Clive Lewis, we hosted a judge of the Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Speaking on Zoom, he spoke about the Administration of Justice under Martial Law. That certainly gave perspective to many of our own problems. It was very moving. I’m very pleased to tell you that Judge Synelnykov was given permission to leave Ukraine to join the Amity Visit to the Hague as our guest. It was a pleasure to meet him in person.
In early June, we had an additional lecture from Robert L Wilkins, a judge of the Court of Appeal of the District of Columbia Circuit, on the eve of his Call as an Honorary Bencher. The title was ‘my family’s journey from Slavery to Citizen’. It began with a photograph of the gravestone of Master Wilkins’ great grandmother and ended with a photograph of Master Wilkins and his family in the Oval Office with Barack Obama. It was the story of an extraordinary woman who brought up eight children, and as a freed slave, fought the state of Kentucky in court and won. The slaveholder freed the enslaved people and left them land in his will. She used the law to enforce the will – and succeeded. It was a remarkable and inspiring story reflecting a 30-year research project brought to fruition by Master Wilkins. Later in the month, at the height of the third heatwave, another large audience was educated and amazed by Master Emily Jackson’s superb lecture with the intriguing title, ‘Future Humans: Law, Ethics and Regulation’. This was the law meets cutting edge science – how do we regulate? Questions and discussion were fast and furious.
The last two lectures in the series are on 6 October (Masters Leveson and Ormerod) and on 3 November (Master Hodge). Book early to avoid disappointment.
In July the Inn hosted a wonderful dinner in honour of a very large group of Canadian Lawyers and judges, including the Chief Justice and most of the Canadian Supreme Court, as well as most of the Supreme Court of the UK. The Hall was full. The silver was polished and there were candles as far as the eye could see. Emma, the Inn’s Membership Events Officer, did a fantastic job on the seating plan so that Middle Templars and the visitors were mixed with the result that the conversation and amity flowed very freely. I have received several warm and appreciative letters from our Canadian friends thanking the Inn for making the evening so memorable. I think everyone present felt the same.
We have Called Ordinary and Honorary Benchers in some outstanding Bench Call nights. The new Benchers’ short speeches have been hilarious, thoughtful, moving. I could go on. Perhaps the most eye catching was the Benching of Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court who gave a memorable speech underlining the importance of the Rule of Law. Her perspective was unique, not just as a very eminent lawyer but because she is the subject of an Arrest Warrant issued by Russia.
Music Nights which have been in a variety of different formats have been successful and enjoyed by many. We are very fortunate to have performances of such high quality in Hall. The next date is Monday 24 November.
The next Bench Call is on Thursday 2 October. Amongst the Callees will be two Honorary Benchers: Sir Christopher Whitty KCB FRS, Chief Medical Officer, and the brilliant geneticist, Professor Jane Langdale CBE FRS. Remember, you may bring guests to Bench Call. Mine have been entertained and impressed by these lovely events.
You’ll have noticed the changes to the rules for Private Guest Nights. We may now invite spouses/partners, bring more than one guest and may attend without a guest. The feedback has been universally positive. How unsurprising that spouses and partners should be interesting and distinguished. The last two Private Guest Nights of 2025 are on Tuesday 4 November and Monday 3 December, the latter with a musical interlude from the Orchestra for the Earth.
There has been sadness at the deaths of a number of Middle Templars since January. The memorial service for Marilynne Morgan, a much-loved Bencher, will take place in Temple Church on Thursday 13 November.
On Wednesday 8 October, Evensong in Temple Church will be dedicated to John Morrissey, a very long-serving member of the staff of the Inn whom we all miss. I am sure we will be present in large numbers to remember and pay tribute to a dear friend.
One of the delights of being in the Inn so much this year is to marvel, daily, at the gardens which were spectacular at the Garden Party. Huge thanks are due to Kate Jenrick, our Head Gardener, whose talent and hard work have given us a visual and fragrant feast, month after month throughout the Inn; on the terrace, in the rose garden, in Elm Court and in Fountain Court. As to the latter, the mulberry tree was abundant in fruit – and a serious danger to clothing. The risk was worth it, the mulberries were delicious.
Treasurers always say how quickly their time as Treasurer goes. It’s true. I have been in post for just over a year. It has been a huge honour, privilege and pleasure. I look forward to the rest of 2025.
One other date for the diary: Grand Day, Wednesday 22 October. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.
The Rt Hon Lady Justice Thirlwall DBE
