The Library subscribes to electronic journals, law reports and the legal databases listed below. Access to subscription-based resources is only available in the Library, apart from Bloomsbury Professional Online, Kluwer Arbitration, Lexis Practical Guidance and Oxford Legal Research Library which can be accessed remotely, upon application to the Library, by Middle Temple members who hold a practising certificate as a barrister in England and Wales AND/OR are on the
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Although we know that the Inn had a small library prior to 1540, an early account about the Inns of Court states that Middle Temple ‘had a simple library in which were not many bookes besides the law and that library by meanes that it stood always open, and that the learners had not each a key unto it, it was at last robbed of all the bookes in it’!
Investigating the recordkeeping practises of earlier generations at the Inn and the how documents gradually moved from the Treasury to their final home in the Archive Repository.
This selection of free legal websites is intended as a signpost for barristers, pupils and students conducting electronic research. More comprehensive lists of resources are available on the portals and gateway sites detailed below. The Library also subscribes to a number of databases, which are for in-library use only. Please refer to the E-Resources and e-books page for more information.
The Bar in England and Wales is divided into six regions, which are more commonly known as ‘Circuits’. The Circuits provide important sources of support, advice and representation for barristers practising in those areas.
Uncovering the history of the Hardwicke Society, a subsidiary membership organisation of the Inns of Court marked by its distinguished membership, vibrant debating culture and robust library of advocacy.
Robert Ashley, a member of the Middle Temple, died in 1641, bequeathing all of his books to the Inn to found a library there, and £300 to employ a Library Keeper. While Ashley did practise as a lawyer, he was more successful as a translator and bibliophile. William Cox was one of the executors of Ashley’s will and was commissioned to create a catalogue of his books; Cox was the first Library Keeper from 1642 to 1655.
Middle Temple will be opening the Hall and Library on the 17 September between 12 noon and 4pm for tours.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view the historic building, Bench apartments and Library. We will be displaying some of our treasures from the archives, historic pieces and silver. The Library will be open to view our collection of books, along with the rare pair of Molyneux Globes. Middle Temple Library holds approximately 30,000 legal titles in 250,000 volumes, including legislation, case law, textbooks, student manuals, loose-leaf publications, journals and law reports.
Middle Temple hall dates back to 1574, was visited by Queen Elizabeth I and hosted the first performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night - it has the most impressive and original double hammerbeam roof remaining in the UK.
Entry is free and will be on a queuing system for the Hall, Bench Apartments and Library.
Viewing of the Library can be done seperately to Hall.
Hall capaciry is 250 people
Library capacity is 150 people
The Library produces a newsletter three times a year. The current issue (No. 22, September 2018) can be downloaded here, or to the right. You will require Adobe Reader.
Back Issues
Archived issues of the library’s newsletter can be downloaded to the right. Issues available are: