Middle Temple Historical Society | The Legacy of Edward Carson

The Middle Temple Historical Society is hosting a mini-symposium on the legacy of Baron Carson of Duncairn in the County of Antrim, whose portrait hangs in Parliament Chamber of the Inn. Edward Carson was a Dublin-born barrister, who was called to the Bar by Middle Temple on April 26, 1893; he was made a Bencher of the Inn on June 15, 1900. Renowned for his forensic cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, he was a significant legal figure. He served in the War Cabinet during the First World War as the Attorney General; he was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary on May 24, 1921.

1. HHJ Seán Enright will commence the event by speaking for twenty (20) minutes on Edward Carson’s background in Dublin and how these factors determined his political outlook, and the impact of his signing of the “Ulster Covenant”.
2. Mr. Michael Ashe KC, SC, will deliver a historical overview of Edward Carson as an advocate as he journeyed from the King’s Inn in Dublin to the Bar of England and Wales; his appointment as a judicial member of the House of Lords, with particular reference to his cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, and his judicial legacy as a Law Lord for another twenty (20) minutes.
3. Prof. Emeritus Lord Paul Bew, will speak for the remaining twenty (20) minutes on Carson’s legacy in Northern Ireland and his on-going contested legacy on Anglo-Irish relations. He is the author of Ireland: The Politics of Enmity 1789-2006, published by Oxford University Press.

If you are NOT a member of Middle Temple, you can book to attend an event organised by the Society by calling the Treasury Office of Middle Temple on 020 7427 4800, who can make a booking and take payment over the phone.

Please note that online attendance does not qualify for a QS. To receive a QS, you must attend this event in person, and attend the lecture and the reception or the lecture, reception and dinner.

Students/Hall Members/Benchers: Guests welcome

Members of other Inns and their guests also welcome - contact the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800 to book.

Members of the Society who are not members of the Inn: contact the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800 to book.

If you have any dietary requirements, please contact members@middletemple no later than three working days prior to the event.

Further details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Aims:

After this session, students should be able to:

• Understand the contested historical circumstances that led to the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and why Carson declined to lead the government of Northern Ireland in 1920.
• Understand why Carson has an enduring legacy as one of the great advocates produced by Middle Temple, i.e., his cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, along with his somewhat “mixed” record as a Law Lords.
• Appreciate the importance of the contested political and legal legacy of Edward Carson in the politics of Northern Ireland by reference to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement and the various Acts of Parliament since 1998.

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

The QS will align with these elements of the Professional Statement:

1.2 / 1.3 

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

QS Feedback

If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk

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