Hall Committee

The Hall Committee is relatively unique within the Inn’s Governing structure as, unlike Education and Training, or Membership Committee for example, it does not hold a single portfolio of responsibility. Instead, we have the privilege of representing the interest of all members of Hall across all areas of the Inn. We therefore represent any member of the Inn who isn’t either a student or a Bencher.

Our committee is also directly elected, with every member of Hall forming the electorate. Members serve three-year terms, and from the committee, our officers, (a Chair and two-vice Chairs) are then elected by members of the committee. We have our own constitution for which we are responsible for. Our members, like the electorate we represent, is incredibly diverse and draws on both members who are practising at the Bar (from those who are at the junior end all the way to King’s Counsel and members of the Bench), as well as those who have done something completely different altogether.

We meet several times a year to discuss a broad range of matters. This includes a number of ongoing projects as well as the broader business of the Inn. To support this, Hall Committee is invited to send a representative to each of the Inn’s Standing Committees, with the Chair serving on the Executive Committee as well. This ensures the voices of the Inn’s members are heard, and the great benefit of Hall Committee’s diverse membership is felt throughout the Inn.

Events

One of the main things we do is provide a selection of events across the Inn’s calendar. In 2023, we held the first Iftar at the Inn, an event which we repeated this year. By all accounts the event was a great success and due to its second successful iteration, is one we hope will become a regular feature in our calendar.

We also hosted our Call reunion, with this year being years ending in ‘four.’ So, members called in any year ending with a four were invited to the Garden Room for some light refreshments where they were joined by the Treasurer and were able to view a range of material put together by the Archives in relation to years ending in four. As you can probably imagine, next year will be years ending in ‘five’, so please watch out for that and, whether you are 2015 or 1975 Call, or any other year ending in five, we would be delighted if you could join us.

As always, the highlight of the Hall Committee calendar was this year’s Annual Dinner. Following a welcome drinks reception, we were served a wonderful meal of salmon rillette, followed by honey-glazed duck. As is usual for Annual Dinner, tables are mixed; this includes High Table. Members of the Inn, at all levels, from student to Bench, as well as members of our hard-working staff, all muck in together for what is always an enjoyable evening. I always think of my first Annual Dinner, where, as a student, I was sat with the late, great, Master Paul Jenkins. Now as a lawyer at the Government Legal Department (GLD), I find enjoyment in the small twist of fate that saw me sat with a former Treasury Solicitor; little did I know then that the GLD is where my career would take me.

This year, we were delighted to be joined by Master Sandie Okoro. Master Okoro is General Counsel for Standard Chartered Bank, and it was my great pleasure to join her in conversation after dinner. We discussed Master Okoro’s career journey, her thoughts on diversity and inclusion, as well as having time for questions at the end. It was the first time that we used this format, with our guest joining the Chair in an after-dinner conversation; we at the committee thought it was a very enjoyable alternative format and hope those also in attendance enjoyed it too.

Getting Involved

Hall Committee is one of the most accessible committees in the Inn, so if you are a member who is looking to get involved, we are a great way to get your foot back in the door. As noted, we hold yearly elections which typically take place in October/November. One of the things that we have done this year is to reform our constitution and remove the need for a proposer. In previous years, someone would have to nominate you to stand. Removing that requirement makes us more accessible and you no longer need to know anyone to get involved and put yourself forward for the election.

Please do watch out for the communications on this, and details will be available on the Middle Temple website closer to the time. If you don’t want to stand, do please use your vote; as I write we are in the midst of a General Election, and though I can’t compare our election to the grandest democratic exercise our country knows, we represent your interest so please do spare a moment to vote.

If you have any questions or queries, or want to reach out to the committee, please feel free to email us at [email protected] 

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