(Gowns for Called members)
Benchers are encouraged to bring esteemed colleagues from other fields.
Students and transferring lawyers need to attend the lecture before dinner (details below) in order to claim a Qualifying Session. Other Members and Guests are of course most welcome to attend too.
Please note there are certain rules and customs that members and guests are expected to observe when attending formal dinners at the Inn.
Speaker: District Judge Timothy Godfrey
The principal aim of this session is to equip pupil barristers with knowledge of what to expect in their early days of (criminal) practice and how best to be prepared for the rough and tumble of the magistrates’ courts. The talk will touch on a number of areas, including: advocacy skills; ‘soft’ skills such as dealing with lay benches and district judges, instructing solicitors, lay clients and opponents; ethics, and dealing with the unplanned or unexpected calmly and professionally.
Judge Godfrey is a district judge based at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he hears criminal and extradition cases. He also sits a recorder in the Crown Court. He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1997 and practised in criminal work until 2020. He has served on the Hall Committee and various inn committees and is a Middle Temple advocacy trainer. Since 2014 he has been the co-author of the Bar Training Course Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing syllabus and curriculum.
Student/Hall Members: Guests welcome, maximum three per member
Benchers: One guest per Bencher
If you (or your guests) have any dietary requirements please ensure that you provide this information when you book tickets. If you did not do so, please inform the Inn no later than 12:00 two working days before the event.
If you (or your guests) are unsure about anything on the evening please speak to the events staff on duty.
The menu for this event is*:
To start:
Asian cured salmon, marinated Chinese slaw, sesame seeds, ponzu sauce
For Main:
1 Grilled rump steak, bubble’ n’ squeak cake, pickled mushrooms, red wine infusion
For Dessert:
1 Biscoff and white chocolate blondie, orange sorbet
*subject to change.
Non-alcoholic alternatives will be provided on request.
Click here for more details on dietary requirements.
This event counts as one Qualifying Session. Students and transferring lawyers need to attend the lecture before dinner in order to claim a Qualifying Session.
Further details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session
After this session, students should be able to:
The QS will align with these elements of the professional statement:
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
Members of the Inn can buy tickets online by clicking ‘Add to Cart’. Please note that you must log in to book (if you have not yet created a log-in please register first). Alternatively you can buy tickets from the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800.
Unless the event sells out earlier, booking will close at 12:00 two working days before the event.
Cancellations:
Where we have a waiting list we will offer your ticket to someone else, so please do cancel your ticket if you are no longer able to attend by emailing education@middletemple.org.uk
If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Richard Frost.
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 Richard. 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