Inner Temple Garden

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly referred to as the Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London, a professional association for barristers and judges in England and Wales. One must belong to one of these Inns to practise as a barrister.

The Inner Temple is governed by a council known as “Parliament,” composed of Masters of the Bench or “Benchers,” experienced barristers or judges. Its historical significance stretches back to the Knights Templar, the military order that occupied the land until its dissolution in 1312. While the exact date of the Inner Temple’s founding is unknown,

The Inner Temple’s origins trace back to the reign of Henry II when the Knights Templar relocated from their previous site in Holborn to new premises on the River Thames. This area became known as the Temple, and the secular common law lawyers who later inhabited the area eventually formed two distinct societies: the Inner and Middle Temples. The Knights Templar fell out of favour in the early 14th century, and their lands were granted to the Knights Hospitaller, who leased the property to the lawyers who occupied it.

During the reigns of James I and Charles I, the Inner Temple expanded, admitting 1,700 students between 1600 and 1640. However, the First English Civil War disrupted legal education, causing the Inns to shut down nearly. After the English Restoration, the Inner Temple famously hosted a lavish banquet for King Charles II in 1661.

The Temple’s fortunes waned in the 18th century, but the 19th century brought Restoration. Key buildings like the Hall and Library were rebuilt or renovated. Unfortunately, much of this work was destroyed during the Blitz in World War II, when the Hall, Temple Church, and many chambers were severely damaged. Rebuilding efforts, completed in 1959, restored the Inner Temple to its former glory.

As one of the four Inns of Court—alongside Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, and Middle Temple—the Inner Temple plays a crucial role in barristers’ training, regulation, and selection. These Inns are the only institutions permitted to call a barrister to the Bar, granting them the legal authority to practice.

Over time, these societies became formalized Inns of Court. In 1608, the Inner and Middle Temples secured their property rights in perpetuity from King James I for a rent of £10 each annually, an arrangement that persists today. The Inner Temple experienced growth in the Elizabethan era, attracting many students, and became a centre of legal education and social life in London.

The Inn’s history is marked by various challenges, including destruction during the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381 and the Great Fire of London in 1666. During the reign of the Stuarts, the Court of Star Chamber enforced laws against Catholic barristers, reflecting the broader Protestant-Catholic tensions of the time.

Despite these difficulties, the Inner Temple maintained its independence, even resisting the authority of the Lord Mayor of London in a 1668 dispute over ceremonial rights. The Great Fire and subsequent blazes in the 1670s caused extensive damage to the Inn’s buildings, which were gradually rebuilt. By the 19th century, the Inn underwent significant Restoration, including the construction of new chambers, a redesigned Hall, and a Library that housed an impressive collection of legal texts.

Its Temple Church, built by the Knights Templar in 1185, remains a notable architectural landmark. Although it suffered damage during World War II, the church has been restored and continues serving the legal and local communities. Other historic buildings within the Inner Temple include the Master’s House and the various chambers that house barristers and legal offices.

In the 20th century, the Inner Temple faced the devastation of the Blitz, which destroyed many of its historic structures. Reconstruction began in 1944, and by 1958, the Hall, Library, and other key buildings were thoroughly restored.