Library Talk: A (legal) ghost story for Christmas

There are few things more festive than a ghost story. As Jerome K. Jerome observed, there is nothing more enjoyable on Christmas Eve than gathering by a fire to regale your friends and family with “authentic anecdotes of spectres”. For lawyers, those anecdotes are even more fun if they involve a sprinkling of legal history and a lively debate over the existence of the supernatural. 

Therefore in the spirit of Christmas, please join Naomi Ryan and Middle Temple Library for an evening examining some of the strangest cases in legal history, in which the Fortean meets the forensic, the bizarre is examined by barristers and the strange is investigated by the state. Learn about the Old Bailey’s connection to the last witchcraft trial, decide whether a ghost can solve their own murder and most importantly, discover the connection between an Attorney General and a foul mouthed, furry demon.

Also featured are a few select rare books from the Library’s collection that will tie this theme together.

Naomi Ryan

Naomi Ryan is a criminal lawyer. After completing the BCL at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, she taught criminal law to undergraduates at St Hilda’s College Oxford and University College London before embarking on her career as a criminal barrister, where she both prosecuted and defended. She now works as an advisory lawyer on criminal matters within the civil service.

Any Inn member and their guests are welcome. Members of the other Inns can book by calling 020 7427 4830 or emailing library@middletemple.org.uk

Please note that this event is not a Qualifying Session.

If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.

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.