As I write this foreword to The Inner Temple Yearbook, we have just received the devastating news of the death of my counterpart, the Treasurer of Middle Temple, Paul Darling OBE KC. For the moment it is difficult to absorb the shock of it all. The time will come for reflection and tribute on his huge contribution to the life of the Bar, the Inns of Court, the legal profession and to broader public life – and for his wonderful character and charisma. For now, I just wish to express profound sympathy to his wife Camilla, his brother Ian and his wider family; to record Paul’s very particular contribution to the warm relationship which our two Inns enjoy and to remember with gratitude a personal friendship of 40 years and more.
On the theme of gratitude, I turn to the Inn’s staff. The year began with the Treasurer’s traditional early January all-day walk around the estate, meeting as many as possible of all who work in the Inn. Many I knew, but many not: for example, in carpentry, plumbing and electrics. It was a treat to have this tour, not least because of discovering so many who have given long years of service to the Inn. That speaks so well of their loyalty and commitment to The Inner Temple, but I hope also of the Inn as a good employer. The day ended with a very happy staff reception in the Drawing Room. We are fortunate in each and every one who works for the Inn, and for the strong and skilled leadership which Greg Dorey and the departmental heads provide.
In similar measure we owe huge thanks to the many volunteers, from right across the Inn’s membership, who give so much of their time to our range of educational and outreach events within the Inn, at the residential courses and on the Circuits. Presentations and courses for school students, Bar students, pupils, New Practitioners (and, increasingly, Established Practitioners); the Practice Management course; seminars, moots and debates – none of these would be possible without that generous commitment by busy practitioners, judges and legal academics. To these we add the voluntary time given by so many non-members, for example the experts in a variety of fields, notably the accountants and medical practitioners on the New Practitioner course and the distinguished lecturers and members of discussion panels on a range of topics in and around the law. These include Master Nice’s ever-stimulating series under the banner of The Social Context of the Law – none will forget this year’s stirring debate on ‘Magnitsky sanctions’; seminars under the title of the International Practice Panel and Reader’s Lecture Nights. In simple terms, we could not achieve our educational mission without this magnificent voluntary help.
Water Bottles
Our beautiful 500ml (17oz) Inner Temple water bottle is made from 70% recycled materials and high grade steel by Mr Bamboo Cup. It keeps your beverage cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours, and is fully recyclable at the end of its ten year life. A tree is planted for each bottle that is manufactured. It's a perfect gift or accessory for every occasion.
But the Inn depends on its volunteers for so much else: thus, for the scholarship interviews of each one of the hundreds of applicants and the Masters and Assistant Masters of the Inn’s activities and their committee members.
Moving through this year – from residential courses to seminars and lectures in our splendid theatre, to mooting and debating competitions to committee meetings on all manner of topics – it has been a privilege to witness all these contributions to our educational mission and to see their effect. A forest of student hands goes up for questions at the end of the lecture. Across the afternoon, a pupil cross-examiner is transformed before our eyes. These are moments to savour.
I also give special thanks to those who give their time to help the Inn in its responses to the many and various consultation documents as may affect the future conduct and regulation of the profession. In the past year these have included proposed change to the time of Call to the Bar and proposed reforms to academic legal training. These types of debate are an unavoidable feature of the modern regulatory landscape to which the Inn must respond constructively, in detail and, where necessary, with firmness. In all these ways we work closely with our colleagues in the other Inns and through the Council of the Inns of Court (COIC). Whilst retaining a healthy and constructive element of friendly and warm-hearted rivalry with our fellow Inns, we collaborate wherever possible and appreciate all that each brings to the discussion on the future of the profession.
Highlights of the year? As always, I have found Call Nights very special occasions. In contrast to the somewhat spartan event of my day, the modern ceremony combines a more fitting sense of occasion with a necessary emphasis on the high ethical obligations which practice at the Bar imposes. This is followed by a joyous celebration in Hall. For many of those called, the road ahead may be rocky, but after years of study and worry and expense it is right to have an evening of great cheer. More than ever this year it has been a delight to meet the families and friends of the callees, to hear their stories of how and when the first thoughts of a career at the Bar were implanted and to learn of their plans for the next stage.
As always, I have found Call Nights very special occasions. In contrast to the somewhat spartan event of my day, the modern ceremony combines a more fitting sense of occasion with a necessary emphasis on the high ethical obligations which practice at the Bar imposes. This is followed by a joyous celebration in Hall. For many of those called, the road ahead may be rocky, but after years of study and worry and expense it is right to have an evening of great cheer.
I have also particularly enjoyed the various dinners on Circuit (Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol; and Liverpool to come) and the opportunity they give to meet members who can only come infrequently to events within the Inn. These included the successful novelty of a joint amity dinner with Middle Temple in Leeds, preceded by a joint Qualifying Session at which the two Treasurers and the next Treasurer of Middle Temple (The Rt Hon Lady Justice Thirlwall DBE) spoke of their respective routes to practice at the Bar. As with so much more to be treasured, the recollection of Paul Darling OBE KC on vintage form will not be forgotten.
Until a late downpour, the Summer Party in the Gardens coincided with an evening of sunshine – a striking achievement this year. Nearly 600 members and their guests enjoyed delicious food and drink, and many took the opportunity to dance.
What next? I look forward to September travel with the Sub-Treasurer to Malaysia and Singapore, to meet the Inn’s alumni and colleagues from the Bar and Bench of those two jurisdictions. These visits celebrate both the international reach of the common law and our associated mutual commitment to the rule of law. In a world which is strikingly more dangerous than for many years past, that bond is surely more important than ever.
These visits celebrate both the international reach of the common law and our associated mutual commitment to the rule of law.
I end with thanks to my fellow Principal Officers, Masters Richard Salter and Helen Davies, and to our Sub-Treasurer Greg Dorey. Individually and collectively, they have given me unstinting support and wise guidance on the many and varied issues which arise on almost a daily basis. Whilst conscious of the privilege to serve as Treasurer, I was less confident of its potential pleasures. It is thanks to them, and to so many others across the Inn, that I have found it so rewarding and enjoyable.
The Hon Mr Justice Michael Soole
Treasurer
