Middle Temple Historical Society | The Legacy of Edward Carson

Tuesday 4th of March 2025 17:45

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Location

Queen's Room
1 QS Point ⬤Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law

Timings

(IN-PERSON):
17:45 - Doors Open
18:15 - Lecture
19:15 - Reception
20:00 - Dinner
Expected to end at approx. 22:00

Dress code

Business Attire

Event Details

This event is taking place in the Bench Apartments AND will be streamed live. This page is for tickets to attend IN PERSON. To book a virtual ticket to attend online CLICK HERE. We will not be able to admit anyone into the Hall with a virtual ticket.

The Middle Temple Historical Society is hosting a mini-symposium on the legacy of Baron Carson of Duncairn in the County of Antrim, whose portrait hangs in Parliament Chamber of the Inn. Edward Carson was a Dublin-born barrister, who was called to the Bar by Middle Temple on April 26, 1893; he was made a Bencher of the Inn on June 15, 1900. Renowned for his forensic cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, he was a significant legal figure. He served in the War Cabinet during the First World War as the Attorney General; he was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary on May 24, 1921.

  1. Judge Enright will commence the event by speaking for twenty (20) minutes on Edward Carson’s background in Dublin and how these factors determined his political outlook, and the impact of his signing of the “Ulster Covenant”.
  2. Mr. Michael Ashe KC, SC, will deliver a historical overview of Edward Carson as an advocate as he journeyed from the King’s Inn in Dublin to the Bar of England and Wales; his appointment as a judicial member of the House of Lords, with particular reference to his cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, and his judicial legacy as a Law Lord for another twenty (20) minutes.
  3. Prof. Emeritus Lord Paul Bew, will speak for the remaining twenty (20) minutes on Carson’s legacy in Northern Ireland and his on-going contested legacy on Anglo-Irish relations. He is the author of Ireland: The Politics of Enmity 1789-2006, published by Oxford University Press.

If you are NOT a member of Middle Temple, you can book to attend an event organised by the Society by calling the Treasury Office of Middle Temple on 020 7427 4800, who can make a booking and take payment over the phone.

Please note that online attendance does not qualify for a QS. To receive a QS, you must attend this event in person, and attend the lecture and the reception or the lecture, reception and dinner.

Who can Attend

Students/Hall Members/Benchers: Guests welcome

Members of other Inns and their guests also welcome - contact the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800 to book.

Members of the Society who are not members of the Inn: contact the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800 to book.

Dietary Requirements

If you have any dietary requirements, please contact members@middletemple no later than three working days prior to the event.

Further details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Aims:

After this session, students should be able to:

  • Understand the contested historical circumstances that led to the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and why Carson declined to lead the government of Northern Ireland in 1920.
  • Understand why Carson has an enduring legacy as one of the great advocates produced by Middle Temple, i.e., his cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, along with his somewhat “mixed” record as a Law Lords.
  • Appreciate the importance of the contested political and legal legacy of Edward Carson in the politics of Northern Ireland by reference to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement and the various Acts of Parliament since 1998.


Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

The QS will align with these elements of the Professional Statement:

1.2 / 1.3 

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

QS Feedback

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

Bookings and Cancellations

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). 

Members of other Inns can buy tickets from the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800.

Unless the event sells out earlier, bookings will close at 09:00 three 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.

Click here to view our Bookings and Cancellation Policies

Disabled Access and Support

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.

Religious Support

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.

Data Protection & Photography

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

Times and details for this event are subject to change. Please check this webpage for the most up to date information.