Many of us survived and are still here because we were helped by others when we joined the Inn, and as we struggled to get started. Some of us owe a great deal to our sponsors, pupil supervisors and others who took an interest, helped and guided. When I joined the Inn, I knew one other student and nobody more senior. The Inn gave me more help than they could ever have realised when they made Master John Slater my sponsor. It wasn’t just that he was kind, funny, clever and very good company; he was all those things and more. It was that he could be concerned without being intrusive, he could guide without being didactic and he could be so rude about the food that it was worth dining with him for that alone.
Through Master Slater, I met Master Anthony Arlidge, one of the leading criminal lawyers and advocates. He too offered great support, perjuring himself for years on my behalf in letters of support and references. Years passed and I was never found out, I took silk and eventually became Chair of the Bar Council. In that role, I met another guide, philosopher and friend, Master Igor Judge. He encouraged and helped me to become a judge and later, Treasurer of the Inn. It is impossible to express the gratitude I owe them all, and many others.
I have discovered a practical way of ensuring that my debt to them is acknowledged publicly. The Inn has a large number of old and rare books, many of which need care and attention. It is very specialised work, and the cost has to compete with a shrinking budget for the Library and its more routine work. A rare and valuable book can be restored and dedicated to someone who helped you at any stage in your career. It could be a sponsor or similar, but it could equally be a parent, partner, friend or member of your family.
The expense depends on age and the amount of work required. The librarians and Archivist can provide a list and set the cost. There are books on law, history, religion, theatre, wine, women and song. So Arlidge is well catered for!
The wonders of Middle Temple never cease. Were you aware that we own a Fourth Folio of the works of Shakespeare? The links to Shakespeare and his work are generally well known, but I don’t suppose many of us knew of this physical link. Since I started writing this article, we have all been shocked by the sudden and untimely death of Master Paul Darling. I am going to invite a number of Benchers to contribute to a fund to restore the Fourth Folio in his memory.
Before you throw this article against a metaphorical wall because it all seems to be aiming at extracting cash, stop. Even if you don’t make any financial contribution, please take the time to appreciate the extraordinary history of the institution of which you are a part. Spend time in the Library and take advantage of all that’s there. There’s lots to be had for nothing.
One of the most valuable things available are the sessions that offer training in online research. Time is money and to be able to find the obscure authority or article you were looking for to impress the judge or the examiner quickly and efficiently is enormously helpful. Sign up for one of the courses and you will be less likely to throw the computer against the wall in the future.
Something else that will have improved your life, even if it’s not free, is the concert that took place on Tuesday 17 September 2024 in the Library. Above all, take advantage of one of the finest collections in one of the most beautiful libraries in London.
See below some examples of sponsored books that have been restored.
IURIS civilis fontes et rivi. Iurisconsultorum veterum quidam loci, ex integris eorum voluminibus ante Iustiniani ætatem excerpti, printed in Paris in 1580. This Roman law, and Jewish law book consists primarily of thematically selected statements from the Pentateuch and from Roman jurists, apparently compiled by Henri Estienne, who was also the printer/publisher. It is bound with five other legal-historical works, and has evidence of Robert Ashley’s provenance.
Gl’ Inganni comedia, by Niccolò Secchi, printed in Venice in 1565. This is an Italian comedy that is bound with four other Italian comedies. John Manningham noted that Twelfth Night was ‘most like’ a play with a similar title, and may in fact have referenced Secchi’s play. It is a play on mistaken identities, hence its title, The Mistakes.
Master Maura McGowan was appointed a High Court Judge in 2014. She sits in the Queen’s Bench Division and is currently a Presiding Judge on the South Eastern Circuit – only the second woman ever to have been a Presider on that Circuit. Master McGowan was Treasurer of the Inn in 2022.
