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Message from the Under Treasurer

Dear Members

I am writing to update you all on arrangements for the Inn’s catering ahead of the summer break.

As many of you will know, we decided to outsource our catering operation at the end of last year and, at that point, we started the search for a catering partner who could fulfil the Inn's needs.  After a comprehensive tender process, we have selected Graysons as our partner. They will be with us for a five year term, with a potential break point after three years. They will take over the catering operation in the Garden Room, Hall lunch, Domus events, and Non-Domus events starting on 5th August.

Graysons bring a broad range of experience, combined with detailed knowledge of the catering sector which is well suited to the Inn’s needs.  The initial signs of the change will be a refreshed and overhauled catering offering in all our outlets.  We are fortunate to have excellent staff and a high quality operation in Middle, and we have all been determined that this will continue.  Graysons have committed to raising these standards further in a process of continuous improvement, and I am sure that those of you who were at the Garden Party will have seen this in operation.

The Garden Room will be open throughout August (Hall closes for lunch on 2nd August and re-opens on 2nd September) and, once we return from the summer break at the beginning of September, we intend to trial opening the Garden Room at 8am to catch the ‘morning coffee trade’.  This will be complemented by an upgraded range of coffee and tea and an extended breakfast, lunch and evening offering.  We will continue to sell the Inn’s wine (including Bench stock) in the Garden Room at very competitive prices. 

In the tender process, we were clear that we wished to retain the ability for members and Benchers to have a good quality lunch in Hall quickly so they are able to return to court or the office without undue delay.  I have also received some requests for a served table, which used to exist prior to Covid.  We will trial this arrangement on the far end of Hall on the right and see what take-up it attracts.  You will be pleased to know that the favourite fish and chips will remain on Fridays!  

Non-Domus events will continue through August in order to capture the summer wedding market.  I have been asked a number of times what difference the outsourcing will have on members and Benchers who may wish to hold events in the Inn.  The answer is that there will be no change from the current arrangement.  Bookings can still be made for private events in the same way as they were before, they will be staffed by the same friendly faces, and we retain discounts for members and Benchers.

I am very much looking forward to welcoming members and Benchers back for the Michaelmas Term to experience these new arrangements in our different venues.  

 

Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE

Under Treasurer         

 

To read more about Graysons please click here 

Bar Representatives
Chambers Representatives
 
The Chambers Reps initiative aims to increase communication between Middle Temple and its members. There is a designated Rep within most chambers across the UK who acts as a conduit between the Inn and the other Middle Templars within their set.
 
Chambers Reps are there to disseminate news from the Inn and details regarding upcoming events to other members. It is also their role to provide feedback, suggestions and requests of their own or from members to the Inn as and when the need arises.
Waterperry Opera Festival - Discount code for Members

Waterperry Opera Festival is an annual summer festival of opera taking place in August (9th - 18th) at the beautiful Waterperry House & Gardens in Oxfordshire. Recently described as 'the festival bringing opera to a new generation' by The Telegraph, our approach is informal and our atmosphere friendly with affordable tickets for all. We champion young emerging artists and create exciting imaginative productions. This summer our Festival is headlined by new productions of Rossini's comic masterpiece The Barber of Seville, and Britten's thrilling ghostly chamber opera The Turn of the Screw. We are very pleased to offer Middle Temple Members a 10% discount on all tickets for both of these productions this summer. Use the code MIDDLETEMPLE at checkout.

 https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/  

The 695th Lord Mayor's Lectures: The Early Railway Age & Its Influence On The Law Of England & Wales

Background:

The popular astronomer and scientist Carl Sagan claimed, ‘You have to know the past to understand the present.’ This address is given with that in mind. The effect of the early railway age, which identified here as 1825 to 1875, upon the development of our law is little acknowledged now but was wide ranging. That effect had significant, even seminal consequences for company law, compulsory purchase, accident inquiries, fatal accident, and personal injury litigation, including employers’ liability, and trade union rights.

Looking at how the criminal law responded to railway accidents in terms of sentencing can encourage us see modern sentencing guidelines differently.

The story of how a technological revolution sparked widespread legal changes is instructive for the present and our immediate future. Although the title of this webinar may appear specialist or dry the nature of its content is very different.

Speaker:

Nicholas Cooke KC was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (Honorary Fellow, 2022) and called to the Bar, Middle Temple 1977 (Bencher 2010). Q.C. 1998. Formerly Recorder of Cardiff and Judge of the Central Criminal Court, Deputy High Court Judge, Queen’s Bench Division and an additional Judge of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). He is Chancellor of the Diocese of St Davids and President of the Provincial Court of The Church in Wales. Nicholas is a Freeman of the City, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, and a member of the City Pickwick Club.

Retired, Nicholas is reading for a doctorate at Worcester College, Oxford and plays veterans hockey for the Welsh Dragons.

To book your spot, click here

 

BACFI Events

Bar Standards Board Roundtable: Equality Rules consultation

Thursday 19 September 18:00 - 19:00 via MS Teams

 

The BSB are launching a consultation based on the Equality Rules and encourage responses to be submitted. In particular, we shall be seeking views as to whether we should replace the current Core Duty 8 (‘You must not discriminate unlawfully against any person’) with a new, proactive duty to ‘advance equality, diversity, and inclusion’. This new duty would apply to every individual at the Bar and seeks to achieve a step change in behaviours and culture within the profession in relation to equality, diversity, and inclusion. In this roundtable we wish to explore with the employed Bar how this applies in practice.

 

To register or if you have any queries, please email events@bacfi.org

 

“Owning Your Imposter”: Looking at what Imposter Syndrome is and strategies that can be employed to help you manage it

Thursday 26 September 18:00 - 19:00 followed by refreshments and networking

 

Location: Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP - 100 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG

 

Speakers:

Judith Kark MBACP, qualified integrative counsellor  

Ann Collier, Business Coach, Sherwood PSF Consulting

 

Chaired by:

Gaynor Wood, Chair of BACFI

and Heidi Stonecliffe KC, Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee

 

Free for everyone to attend but you must register beforehand due to limited spaces.  To register or if you have any queries, please email events@bacfi.org

 

 

Student Evening: The Employed Bar (in conjunction with City Law School)

Wednesday 2  October 6pm – 7.30pm

 

Our expert panel will be giving their views on what it takes to succeed at the Employed Bar.

Introduction: Ffyon Reilly, City Law School

 

Chaired by:

Daniel Byrne (Partner, AA Thornton and Deputy District Judge)

 

Speakers:

  • Alexandria Carr (UK Head of Financial Regulation, Societe Generale)
  • Charlotte Pope-Williams (3 Hare Court)
  • William Sprigge
  • Francesca Titus (Partner, McGuireWoods London)

 

Please email events@bacfi.org or call 07507237218 to register and your Microsoft Teams invitation will be sent to you nearer the time of the event.

2024

Bar Course Scholarships

Queen's Scholarship

  • Adrian Kreutz

 

Queen Mother Scholarships

Remembering Master David Lynch

 

Master David Lynch

It is with much regret that we report the death of our Middle Temple Bencher, HH David Lynch, who passed away recently, at the age of 84 years.

He is survived by his two sons and grandchildren.

We will circulate more information once the notification is received.

 

 

Sir Christopher Ghika

Under Treasurer

 9 August 2024

Vacancy: Assistant Legal Officers - Social Security and Employment

20 months fixed term from November 2024

The Free Representation Unit (‘the FRU’)  provides representation in social entitlement and employment tribunals for people who can’t afford lawyers. We represent approximately 300 clients annually in tribunals across London and the South East.

Most of our work is done by approximately 300 volunteers, generally law students and junior solicitors and barristers. They are supervised by our legal officers.  More information about FRU can be found at www.thefru.org.uk    

We are recruiting up to two Assistant Legal Officers to help us support our volunteers. The successful candidate will also be expected to appear regularly in the tribunals. You should have some experience of managing client cases and advocacy in either employment or social security tribunals.

We are recruiting for one assistant legal officer in social security and one assistant legal officer in employment but we would consider a hybrid role of both specialisms dependent on the candidate.  Please express a preference in your application.  

This is a training and development post, intended to give candidates the opportunity to gain experience and develop their skills early in their career. The role is ideal for those looking for a pupillage or training contract. It is offered as a fixed-term post for up to 20 months from November 2024 (or as soon as possible thereafter).  Part-time or job share applications will be considered.  

Salary: £28,500 per year.

The closing date for applications is 9am Monday 9 September.

Notifications for interview will be sent by Friday 13 September.

Interviews will be held on Monday 23 September and Tuesday 24 September  

If you're interested in the role, you can find full details and information about how to apply on our vacancies page at https://www.thefru.org.uk/vacancies

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