While our catalogue is not available for public consultation, listed below are the majority of the series held by the Middle Temple Archive, with dates of coverage, divided into thematic sections. This list is not exhaustive of the Archive’s holdings, but is intended to enable researchers to assess its resources in relation to their research interest and narrow their enquiries.
These records are subject to Data Protection Legislation. Information on living persons, other than information which is already in the public domain by publication prior to the Data Protection Act, will not be disclosed. Records relating to the Under Treasurer’s local authority functions are subject to Freedom of Information legislation.
MT1 – Administrative Records
Records created by the Inn’s governing body, Parliament, and its management in fulfilling their administrative function:
- CEM, CHM, CFP, HAL: Committee records (executive, house, future planning, Hall, etc.) – 1856 onwards
- JAS, SMC: Correspondence with James I and Charles I – 1616-1639
- LBO: Letter books – 1850-2003
- LIN: Incoming correspondence – 1714-1913
- MEM: Memoranda books – 1756-1868
- MOH: Medical Officer of Health annual reports – 1900-1953
- MPA: Minutes of Parliament – 1501 onwards
- NEW: Middle Temple Newsletters – 1990 onwards
- OTH: Oaths of allegiance [documents signed by barristers to the sovereign] – 1649-1868
- PPA: Reports of committees, correspondence and other papers presented to Middle Temple’s Parliament – 1600-1913
- PPE: Petitions to the Inn – 1681-1980
- STO: Printed rules, regulations and Standing Orders for Parliament and committees – 1882-2015
- WAR: Records relating to Middle Temple during World War II – 1924-1949
MT2 – Financial Records
Records documenting the Inn’s financial activities:
- ARA: Auditors’ accounts and reports – 1870 onwards
- BAP, CBP, CBS, EXP: Expenditure, banking, cash and petty cash books – 1785-1966
- BSA: Annual balance sheets and expenditure abstracts – 1865-1961
- CFR: Finance Committee papers – 1870-1969
- INV: Investment papers – 1722-1793
- TAV, TCB, TAP, TAR: Treasurer’s accounts, day and cash books, ledgers and financial papers – 1608-1972
- TRB: Treasurers’ Receipts and Bills – 1614-1967
- VAI: Valuation and insurance records – 1915 onwards
- XPT: Poll tax certificates – 1692-1696
- XPV: Parochial valuation records – 1926-1963
- XRR: Tax records – 1692 onwards
MT3 – Members’ Records
Membership files, correspondence, financial records and other loose documents generated by or relating to members, admitted or/and Called, in regard to their relationship with the Inn. The Archive doesn’t normally hold portraits of individual members.
Admission
- AAR, ACR: Registers of Admissions – 1501 onwards
- ALO: Certificates of admission to House – 1603-1828
- APA: Admissions forms & papers – 1890 onwards
- CBB: Bar bonds [information on the member’s surety] – 1611-1900
- IOC: Rejections of applications for admission & expulsions from membership – 1748-1846
- MAC: Admission to chambers – 1631-1746
- VAR: University certificates – 1766-1911
Call to the Bar
- CCC: Certificates of Call to the Bar – 1682-1827
- CMV: Signatures on Call to the Bar – 1856 onwards
- CPA: Call Papers – 1869 onwards
- PCB, RCB: Proposals & Reports for Call to the Bar – c1700-1869
Members' Papers
- BEF: Photograph album of Masters of the Bench – 1864-1891
- BEM: Benchers' papers – 1763-2007
- BEP: Benchers' regulations and proposals – 1896-1892
- BUR: Certificates of death and burial – 1676-1726
- DIS: Disciplinary cases – 1845 onwards
- IMC: Records relating to Irish members – 1641-1889
- MDR: Bills of Members' duties – 1772-1819
- MEM: Assorted papers relating to members – 1608 onwards
- ORD: Memorials for Members –1993 onwards
- REA: Readers' addresses and guest lectures – 1619 onwards
- ROH: Roll of Honour – 1919
- ROR: Roll of Readers – 1560-1925
- STL, BAL, BEL, MEL: Students’, barristers’, Benchers' and members' ledgers – 1747-1945
- WIN: Illuminated volumes of heraldic glass and panels – 1630-1938
MT4 – Deeds
Contractual agreements regarding the Inn’s land, property, charitable trusts and office administration:
- James I's letters patent conveying the lands of the Temple to Inner and Middle Temple, 1608
- Partition, mutual grant of easements and exchanges of lands – 1732-1965
- Registers of deeds and leases – 1586-1935
- Deeds (property and trust) – 1745 onwards
MT5 – Rent, Chambers & Property
Rental and inventory records regarding the Inn’s residential and commercial chambers, as well as records of its other property:
- BCS: Bench chambers survey and inventory – 1732-1833
- CBO: Bonds for chambers – 1631-1657
- CES: Estates Committee Minutes – 1966 onwards
- CHL, CSV: Leases and surrenders of chambers – 1723-1942
- CIV: Inventories of chambers – 1644-1649
- CSL: Surveys of chambers – 1649-c1660, 1809-1862
- RAN: Rent analyses – 1931-1968
- RAV: Arrears of rent books – 1830-1912
- REB, REN, RLE: Rental books (by individuals and premises) and ledgers 1747-1969
- SHO: Records relating to Temple shops – 1621-1908
- TSE: Records relating to Thames Embankment, Temple Stairs and Temple Bar – 1767-c1905
MT6 – Building Works
Records relating to building repairs, alterations and construction work carried out within the precinct of the Inn:
- CRR: Post-War Reconstruction Committee minutes and papers – 1947-1961
- PLA: Maps, plans and architectural drawings – 1713-1957
- RBW: Building works and post-war reconstruction records – 1670 onwards
- SAR: Surveyors’ accounts and analyses of repairs – 1934-1959
- SUB: Surveyors’ Bills – 1920-1939
- SUP: Surveyors’ reports and papers – 1819-1996
MT7 – Commons, Kitchens & Entertainment
Records relating to events and dinners organised by or held at the Inn, covering the aspects of members’ participation, guest invitation, food & drink, entertainment and bills & accounts:
Catering
- CAR, CAT: Catering accounts and receipts – 1898-1970
- CCR: Catering Committee minutes – 1967-2013
- CSD: Minutes and papers of assorted committees related to catering – 1886-1905
- GCR: Assorted catering records – 1771 onwards
Commons & Kitchens
- BSA: Butler and stewards’ accounts – 1728-1860
- BUC: Butlers’ collections – 1748-1856
- CAA, CAT, CCB, COB, COR: Commons registers, ledgers, cash books, bills and arrears – 1723-1876
- CAV: Calveshead rolls collections and receipts [duty collected to support the Officers of the House] – 1635-1654
- CIG: Cigar book – 1931-1959
- COL: Records of duties, vacations and fines – 1610-1618
- MIS: Miscellaneous papers relating to Commons – 1635-1660
- SUB: Supper bills – 1613-1633
- TAJ: Tradesmen's journal and account books – 1871-1945
- WPA: Weekly provisions account books – 1898-1953
Events, Luncheons & Dinners
- BUB: Buttery books [volumes recording names of diners in Hall] – 1745-1902
- DIT, LCJ: Assorted dinner and luncheon account books and cash journals – 1878-1940
- DNR, GDV: Records relating to feasts, Grand Days and dinners – 1868 onwards
- ERB, EVE: Records relating to events such as Balls, Garden Parties and Centenary Anniversary Events – 1603 onwards
- FEM, FES: Records relating to the Temple Festival – 2007-2011
- MAA, MAB: Records relating to the Whitehall Masques of 1613 and 1634 – 1612/3-1617, 1633/34-1635
- MAG: Records relating to the Magna Carta Project 2015 – 2008-2015
- PER: Records relating to performances at Middle Temple – 1896 onwards
- REV: Records relating to Christmas Revels – 1998 onwards
- ROY: Records relating to the Royal Family – 1861-2012
- SLB: Sunday luncheon books – 1921-1979
- VIB: Visitors' books – 1870 onwards
Wine & Liquor
- CWI: Wine Sub-Committee minutes – 1967 onwards
- MWA: Wine account books – 1863-1954
- WBA: Wine butler's accounts and consumption books – 1608-1933
- WLS: Liquor stock books – 1762-1955
- WIR: Assorted papers relating to wine – 1749-1975
MT8 – Staff Records
Records relating to the Inn's staff members:
- SAG: Record of attendance at the gates – 1859-1876
- SMV: Assorted papers relating to servants and staff – 1602-1968
- SRV: Volumes concerning appointments, salaries and duties – 1815-1954
- STS: Time sheets – 1870-1873
- WLE: Wages ledgers – 1887-1947
- WPB: Waiters' pay books – 1898-1938
MT9 – Library
Records relating to the Inn’s historic and contemporary libraries. Information on the Library’s current holdings is accessible through its online catalogue:
- BON: Librarians’ bonds of surety and related papers – 1665-1776
- LAB: Records of Library attendance and borrowing – 1787-1978
- LAC: Records of accessions and additions – 1881-1949
- LAR: Library Annual Reports – 1899-1967
- LCA: Library catalogues – 1684-1933
- LCO: Library correspondence – 1909-1968
- LCM: Library Committee minutes and papers – 1857-2012
- LEX: Library exhibitions and events – 2003 onwards
- LMF, LMV: Assorted Library papers and volumes – 1707-2004
- LIB: Records concerning Library buildings and the openings thereof – 1856-1958
- LPB: Records of presentations and gifts – 1913-1969
- LSR: Reports concerning the Library – 1809-2009
- RAW: Will of Robert Ashley – 1641
MT10 – Scholarships & Prizes
Records relating to the various scholarship funds set up by or donated to the Inn, including financial papers and student applications:
- AFC, AFL, AFP: Astbury Scholarship accounts, cash books and records – 1935-1975
- CMM: Chrystal Macmillan Memorial Fund cash book and ledger – 1947-1975
- CSM: Scholarships and prizes committee minutes – 1938 onwards
- DON: Records of donations made by the Middle Temple – 1946-1961
- KEM: King Edward VII Memorial Scholarship applications – 1911-1925
- GRF: Garraway-Rice Fund accounts – 1937-1975
- HAS: Harmsworth and Astbury Scholarship applications – 1925-1965
- HFG, HMA, HMC, HML, HMM: Harmsworth Scholarship accounts, cash books, letters and records – 1924-1975
- MTS: Record of Middle Temple scholarships – 1877-1892
- MSP: Papers regarding assorted charitable funds and bequests – 1873-1986
- PSF: Records of Pupil Studentships – 1914-1926
- REG: Middle Temple Scholarship Registers – 1925-1993
- STU: Assorted Scholarship files – 1933-2003
MT11 – Pictures, Plate and Possessions
Records regarding the acquisition, donation, commission, preservation and inventory of the Inn’s historic collections, including armour, furniture, silverware, paintings and other artefacts:
- ARM: Reports and catalogues relating to arms and armour at the Inn – 1862 onwards
- DON: Records relating to donations and bequests to the Inn – 1914-1983
- FPI: Records relating to Middle Temple pictures – 1848 onwards
- GLO: Records relating to the Molyneux Globes – 1930-2012
- INP, INV: Inventories of plate, books, securities, records, furniture and pictures – 1717 onwards
- MTP: Records relating to Middle Temple silver and plate – 1910 onwards
- RCD: Records relating to the Royal Cup competition – 1903-1905
MT12 – New Inn Records
Administrative, financial and membership records relating to New Inn, an Inn of Chancery attached to Middle Temple:
- ADB: Admission Books – 1743-1852
- CER: Certificates of membership – 1601-1710
- CON: Constitution, rules and regulations – 1668, 1864
- DEE: New Inn property deeds – 1548-1900
- LCC: Papers relating to the London County Council Improvements Act – 1899-1904
- LEC: Lecture attendance book – 1834-1846
- MEM: Memoranda Books – 1822-1887
- MIS: Assorted New Inn papers – 1605-1901
- MOB: Minute and Order books – 1675-1902
- MOO: Moot books and papers – 1748-1831
- MPL: Membership lists – 1802-1820
- MTO: Middle Temple Orders regarding New Inn – 1504-1745
- REA: Papers concerning the election of New Inn Readers – 1649-1835
- STE: Papers relating to New Inn chambers – 1833-1852
- TRA: Treasurers' accounts – 1774-1902
MT13 – Legal Education
Records relating to the provision and development of legal education at the Inn, covering activities such as lectures, vocational training and assessment:
- AAA, FIL, REP: Council of Legal Education accounts, reports and other papers – 1853-1968
- BER: Bar examination papers and results – 1852-2001
- CLA, CLE: Council of Legal Education students' certificates and examination registers – 1853-1874, 1877-1910
- CSA: Students’ Affairs Committee minutes – 1967-2013
- CUF, CUM: Cumberland Lodge files and mock trial papers – 1966-1990
- ECM: Education Committee minutes – 1995 onwards
- LEC: Lectureship papers – 1846-1862
- MIS: Assorted legal education papers including reports, schemes and correspondence – 1846 onwards
- MOO: Moot papers – 1925-1990
- PPL: Lecture attendance books – 1846-1977
MT14 – Records of Other Legal Bodies
Records documenting the institutional relations of the Inn with other legal entities:
- ABA: Papers relating to the American Bar Association – 1923 onwards
- BLF: Bar Library reports and financial statements – 1906-1939
- CHU: Papers relating to Chuo University – 2011 onwards
- COI, ICR: Records of the Council of the Inns of Court – 1987 onwards
- DUT: Reports and minutes of the Standing Joint Committee on the Duties, Interests and Discipline of the Bar – 1984-1964
- FJU: Papers relating to the Four Jurisdictions Conference – 2012-2014
- JOI: Reports of the Joint Committees of the Four Inns of Court – 1908-1966
- OVE: Papers relating to the overseas Bar, international and domestic visits and associations – 1996 onwards
- REP: Reports and Resolutions of the Board of Examiners – 1901-1910
- SEN: Records of the Senate of the Inns of Court and the Bar / General Council of the Bar – 1914-1997
MT15 – Temple Church & Master of the Temple
Records relating to the management, maintenance and activities of Temple Church, which is jointly owned by Middle Temple and Inner Temple:
- ACC: Temple Church accounts – 1716-1926
- COM: Signed books of Communicants for Holy Communion – 1668-1771
- FIL: Assorted files concerning the Church, Master of the Temple, organist and choir – 1895 onwards
- MEM: Benchers' memorials and Thanksgiving addresses – 1965 onwards
- MIN: Choir Committee minutes – 1856-1927 (subsequent minutes are held by the Inner Temple Archives)
- PRE: Receipts for payments for afternoon preachers – 1804-1951
- REG: Temple Church Registers on baptisms, burials and marriages – 1628-1944
- RPC: Register of Preachers and Collections – 1845-1905
- SER: Books of sermons – 1650s
- TAM: Loose papers concerning the Church and Master of the Temple – 1591 onwards
MT16 – Legislation
Legislative records of the government and Inns of Court which had an implication on the Inn’s status, rights and operation:
- BMT: Parliamentary Bills and Acts affecting the rights of Middle Temple – 1855-1977
- IOC: Parliamentary Bills and Acts relating to the Inns of Court, legal education and discipline – 1862-1909
- LBA: London Building Acts – 1928-1939
- LCC: London County Council (General Powers) Bills – 1911-1954
MT17 – Inns of Court Regiment & Military Service of Members
- Records of the Inns of Court Regiment, the Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers, civil defence and other military service by members of the Inn – 1745-1961
MT18 – Collected Papers
Records collected by the Inn from external organisations on a range of topics, including:
- ARM: Certificate of Arms of Middle Temple – 1949
- FOU: Records relating to Middle Temple foundlings – 1700-1850
- SEL: Correspondence with the Selden Society – 1935-1960
- PLO: Papers of the Plowden Society – 1930-1932
- PUB: External publications relating to Middle Temple – 1896 onwards
MT19 – Images and Audio-Visual Material
Illustrations, photographs, recordings, films and other non-textual material held by the Archive:
- ADV: Films, video tapes, CDs and DVDs – 1940s onwards
- AUD: Audio recordings – 1999 onwards
- ILL: Illustrations of the Inn's buildings, other Inns of Court and Inns of Chancery, Temple Church, Temple, the Inn’s gardens, events, members and other historical figures – 1700 onwards
- PHO: Photographs of the Inn's buildings, its historic collections, events, Temple Church, etc. – 19th century onwards
- PRI: Printing blocks of illustrations for Middle Temple publications – 1910-1947
- SCR: Scrapbooks and press cuttings – 1861-1972
- SLI: Lantern slides of the Inns of Court – c1900
MT20 – Gifts & Deposits
Records and artefacts donated to the Inn by its members or members of the public, concerning individual members, other prominent legal figures, Inns of Court, the wider legal profession and a range of historical matters:
- Documents donated by Master Igor Judge, including some relating to the historical figures featured in Shakespeare’s plays – 15th century
- Papers relating to the Hardwicke Society – 1847-1977
- Handbooks of Enemy and Enemy-occupied Europe – 1943
- Fee books and manuscript of Sir Alexander Cockburn – 19th century
- Notebooks belonging to Sir John Anthony Hawke – c1915
- Memoirs of L. D. Powles – c1908
- Photocopy and transcription of Lord Lindley’s memoirs – 1919
- Papers of William Craig Henderson KC – 1901-1959
- Papers of Master Rosina Hare QC – 1928-2012
- Papers of Graham Reide – 1908-1967
- Manuscripts of Sir John Strange's reports – 18th century