The second Lord Judge Memorial Lecture in Legal History will be held this year as a collaborative event between the Middle Temple Historical Society and the Selden Society, in commemoration of the distinguished legacy of Lord Judge, who served as President of the Selden Society from 2009 to 2015.
Both Societies are pleased to announce that this year’s lecture will be delivered by The Rt. Hon. Lord Sumption, FSA, FRHistS, former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and a distinguished historian.
In his lecture, Lord Sumption will dispute the prevailing historiographical orthodoxy that locates the origins of international law as a discrete legal discipline in the aftermath of the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the writings of Hugo Grotius. He will argue that the medieval period saw the development of a coherent notion of sovereignty and an elaborate code of what would now be called customary international law.
Members of all four Inns, members of the Seldon Society and their guests
After this session, students should be able to;
Critically assess the claim that international law began with the Peace of Westphalia and Hugo Grotius, by identifying the standard textbook narrative and explaining its limitations using historical and legal evidence.
Demonstrate an understanding of medieval conceptions of sovereignty and customary legal norms governing relations between states, and explain how these practices or doctrines anticipate or resemble key principles of modern international law.
Compare medieval and early modern frameworks of inter-state legal relations by identifying key similarities and differences between medieval ius inter gentes and the post-Westphalian international legal structures.
1.2 / 1.3
View the BSB's Professional Statement
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
Bookings: Unless the event sells out earlier, booking will close at 09:00 two working days before the event.
Cancellations: Please cancel your ticket if you are no longer able to attend. When an event has sold out we often have a waiting list.
View details of how to book, plus our Bookings and Cancellation Policies
If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Middle Temple endeavours to make the Inn as inclusive as possible for all of its members, guests and staff.
If you have questions regarding religious practice at the Inn or at Inn events, or if you would like to request support, please email the Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Laura Hacon. The Inn endeavours to make reasonable adjustments where possible.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please be aware that photography, audio and video recording may take place at our events. These may be used for promotional purposes by the Inn, including in printed publications, on our website, and on our social media accounts. If you do not wish to have your photograph taken or to have images of you used, please alert the Membership Team at the start of the event. We are unable to guarantee that you will not be included in the background of photographs that are being taken. Contact: 020 7427 6385, members@middletemple.org.uk
All personal data that the Inn stores and processes is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Inn’s Data Protection Policy. You can ask the Inn to stop using your images at any time, or request to see the personal data that the Inn holds on you. For more information please visit the Data Protection page http://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us/data-protection