Middle Temple has been awarding scholarships on a substantial basis since 1877. The Inn’s primary purpose is to ensure that those individuals of real ability (and whom the Inn believes can succeed in the profession) are not precluded from coming to the Bar by a lack of financial resources. The principal criteria for the award of scholarships are the quality of the applicant and their commitment to the principles of independent practice. All scholarships are awarded on merit. Once identified as a Scholar of the Inn, the amount of the award to an individual is tailored to ensure that significant assistance is given to those students most in need.

Middle Temple interviews all scholarship applicants and, uniquely, always takes account of means when assessing the value of any scholarship award. The Inn believes that it has a track record of channelling funds where they are most needed and to people, regardless of their background, who will ultimately be a credit to the profession and the administration of justice.

In 2017, the Inn provided just over £1.2 million in GDL and BPTC scholarship awards. The Inn had over 250 applicants, of which 101 awards were made. The Inn started an appeal in 2003 to maintain and increase the level of funding and the number of scholarships awarded each year, with the aim of raising £5 million. The Rt Hon Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers is the appeal’s Patron. At the end of 2016, the Appeal Fund had reached over £4.6 million.

Most donors now contribute by way of a regular standing order, which enables sizeable donations to be built up on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Members or chambers donating over £50,000 can elect to have a named scholarship, several of which have already been established:

• The Connor Scholarship
• The Pump Court Tax Chambers Scholarship
• The Brick Court Chambers Scholarship
• The 3-4 South Square Scholarship
• The Quatercentenary Scholarship
• The Gardiner Scholarship
• The Lowry-Calvert Scholarships

If you would like to make a donation to the appeal please click the donate link on the Middle Temple Trust Fund Just Giving page. Alternatively, a Standing Order Authority, a Gift Aid Declaration, and a Credit Card Donation form can be downloaded and sent to the Inn’s Director of Membership and Development. For further information about the Middle Temple Scholarship Appeal, please contact Colin Davidson. 

The Middle Temple Scholarship Fund is part of the Charities administered in connection with The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, registered charity number 314246.

There is also a Rare Book Sponsorship Programme run by the Library for certain books within the collection that are centuries old and require some restoration work.