I am happy to report that the Middle Temple Historical Society is again blossoming following the brief hiatus caused by the pandemic.
The programme for the 2024/2025 legal year started with the inaugural Lord Judge Memorial Lecture, when we were delighted to hear Master John Baker, Downing Professor Emeritus of the Laws of England, University of Cambridge, speak on the Prerogative. Next came a lecture on Sir Edward Carson (of which more below). This was followed by a joint event with the Inner Temple Historical Society, when Professor Norman Doe KC (Hon) and Morag Ellis KC, Dean of the Arches Court, addressed the Society on the history of that court. The event was held in the Temple Church following a celebration of Choral Evensong. Then, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which abolished the House of Lords’ judicial functions and created the UK Supreme Court, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the then Lord Chancellor, addressed the Society. This was followed by contributions by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers and Lord Hope of Craighead, who provided their respective insights into how this transformation of the UK’s highest court came about, and its ongoing impact on our legal system. Professor Lindsay Stirton chaired this discussion, and the Society was both honoured and privileged to hear about these events from the point of view of eyewitnesses to this defining moment in history.
Upcoming events
On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Law Commissioners Act 1965, Master David Bean, Chair of the Law Commission from 2015 to 2018, will deliver a lecture, followed by a Q&A session led by Professor Jeremy Horder (a Law Commissioner from 2005 to 2010 and an Academic Bencher of the Inn). This is followed by the second Lord Judge Memorial Lecture, in conjunction with the Selden Society, on Tuesday 11 November 2025 entitled ‘The Judge as Historian’, which will be delivered by Lord Jonathan Sumption.
We promise many more exciting and important events for the upcoming legal years 2026/2027 and 2027/2028. For those who have never attended one of our events, a taster, compiled by Seán Enright and Master Michael Ashe from their lecture on the Legacy of Sir Edward Carson, is below.
How to book …
There is a modest charge for attendance at our events online and in-person (in-person attendance includes a wine reception after the lecture). There is also a supper following the reception, which is available to book separately. Our events are open to all members of the Society, the Inn and their guests. The Inn advertises events through its website, events page, and email event reminders. Members of the Society also receive a separate reminder email. All bookings should be made via the Inn’s website. Members of the Society who are not members of the Inn may book by calling the Treasury Office.
Qualifying Sessions
Many of our events count as Qualifying Sessions for students and will be advertised as such on the Inn’s events page and elsewhere.
Join us
The Society is always happy to hear from potential new members. Membership costs £10 per year (payable by standing order) and is open to all members of Middle Temple and to non-members of the Inn.
A membership application form can be obtained by emailing the Society’s membership secretary, Dr Chris Davies: chrisdaviesfde@outlook.com.
The committee members of the Middle Temple Historical Society are James Carr (Treasurer), Dr Chris Davies (Membership Secretary), HHJ Sean Enright, Master David Allen, Paola Kovacz von Csaky and Susan Morris-Prosser.
Master Lynne Townley sits as a fee-paid judge in the Employment, Mental Health and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) tribunals. She is also a member of the Editorial Team of the Criminal Appeal Reports. Lynne is the Chair of the Middle Temple Historical Society.
