Sub-Treasurer's Report, October 2019

1. Project Pegasus

On 19 July, the City Planning Office finally approved Inner Temple’s proposals for the discharge of conditions relating to the planning permission for Project Pegasus. This entails a tough but manageable regime for dealing with disturbances such as noise and vibration. Prior to that point a substantial amount of work had been completed as “preparatory measures”, permitted prior to the discharge of the remaining conditions. Hoarding and scaffolding is now complete and a banner covering much of the scaffolding is in the process of installation; all joinery has been carefully removed from the Library; demolition of rooves is underway; asbestos is being removed from the site; and a variety of other substantive works is in progress. We are working closely with the contractor to establish what the implications of a delayed start might be for the overall timing and cost of the project, but the contractor is obliged to seek to mitigate any negative effects to the greatest extent possible.

2. Finance

The Pension Scheme Trustees met on 17 July.

The Investment Sub-Committee met on 29 July and inter alia discussed the Inn’s projected cashflow during Project Pegasus and the Inn’s treasury function.

3. Estates

Repair work to the roof and guttering of Farrar’s Building was completed over the summer but the usual planned maintenance work programme was suspended for 2019 owing to the impact of the site set up for Project Pegasus. This programme will recommence in 2020 with the exterior redecoration of Francis Taylor Building and Mitre Court Buildings. The interior planned maintenance programme continues unaltered.

The programme of commercial lease renewals approaches a conclusion, after which the renewal of some of the Inn’s historic residential leases will commence.

During the afternoon of 24 September the Inn experienced a torrential downpour which caused flooding into a number of buildings causing significant damage. Insurers are aware and dealing with the results but much credit should be paid to the Inn’s Estates team who stayed late that evening to assist with the initial clean-up.

4. Education and Training

Training on Advocacy and the Vulnerable took place at King’s College London on 13 July and BPTC Advocacy Day and Legal Research Training on 21 September. An Introductory Evening for London BPTC Students took place at the De Vere Grand on 24 September. At the Introductory Evening, students were given a new student handbook which provided detail about each qualifying session including learning outcomes for each session. This new handbook will help the Inn to achieve the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Bar Standards Board.

A Pegasus Trust Reception took place in Fountain Court on 10 July.

The Drama Society performed an extract of “Much Ado About Nothing” (with cameos from Master Reader and Master Ayling) in the first such Shakespeare competition against Middle Temple’s “Cymbeline” in the Marquee on 15 July. A panel of judges led by actress Olivia Williams (whose parents hailed from Inner and Middle Temple respectively) decided in favour of Middle Temple, while praising both productions. This is likely to become an annual event.

The Junior Bar Association staged “A Night at the Musicals” in the Marquee on 16 July, featuring songs from the shows performed by many talented young barristers and Master Hodge. It is planned that a similar event next year might showcase songs from films.

Trinity Term Call Night took place on 25 July, the hottest night of the year when temperatures hovered around 38 degrees. 98 students were Called in Temple Church before attending a reception in the Marquee.

The Advocacy Training Committee met on 10 July; reviewed feedback from the June New Practitioners’ course; and received a report on discussions with the BSB about new requirements for ethics training.

An Advocacy Teacher Training Weekend took place on 28/29 September. For the first time, at Master Griffiths’ invitation, this included an international member of Inner Temple from India.

5. House and Administration

The Bar Liaison Committee met on 8 July. Amongst other things they discussed a date for a future BLC meeting on circuit and entertainment for Bar Guest Night on 11 October. Tickets are still available from the Treasury Office for the dinner at the Vintners’ Hall which will include musical interludes by Mozart, Puccini and Rossini sung by soloists from Opera Brava.

On 9 July, Master Hallett delivered the keynote speech at an event in the Guildhall to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Bar Council of England and Wales.

The Inner Temple Summer Party, based on the theme “Pink”, took place in the Inner Temple Marquee and Gardens on 11 July and was much enjoyed by those who attended.

On 17 July a Joint Amity Dinner between Inner and Middle Temple marked the 70th Anniversary of the 1949 Dinner with HM King George VI and HM Queen Elizabeth (Master Butler-Sloss being the only person present at both events). Master HRH The Princess Royal was Guest of Honour and attended Choral Evensong and a reception in the Marquee to meet Princess Royal Scholars and other members of the two Inns before the Dinner.

Several Inner Temple Benchers and the Sub-Treasurer attended Master Buckland’s swearing-in as Lord Chancellor in the Royal Courts of Justice on 30 July.

A meeting of the Project Pegasus Interior Design Sub-Committee (PPIDSC) took place on 25 September.

Repair and conservation of the Rysbrack Pegasus has been completed by Cliveden Conservation.

A series of short videos about Project Pegasus and the decant from the Treasury Building can now be viewed on the Inn’s website.

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In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Master Deborah Taylor recorded a short video about his studies in London as a member of the Inner Temple; his disbarment in 1922; and his eventual reinstatement as a member in 1988.

Scenes from a new production Rebecca were filmed in King’s Bench Walk at the beginning of August. Filming for a documentary about Frederick Christian Cole, the first African to practice in the English Courts, commissioned by Black Oxford: Untold Stories, took place on 21 September in the Inner Temple Garden and estate.

Consistent with the Inn’s environmental policy, this term’s InnerView and the new edition of the Yearbook have been wrapped for mailing to members in a 100% compostable bag, which can be disposed of both in home composting bins or, where accepted by authorities, in food waste recycling or green bins.

6. Library

The temporary Library at Fetter Lane has been publicised on the Inn’s and the Library’s websites; in the Library Newsletter and InnerView; on the hoarding outside the Treasury Building; and by means of a leaflet drop to Inner Temple Chambers. Despite this, usage figures are low. The signing-in book indicates that 6-21 people have visited the temporary Library each day since May as compared with 100-120 visitors to the Library previously. Usage was slightly higher in August (13-33) when Middle Temple Library was closed. Members who have used the temporary Library have been complimentary about the quiet working space provided as well as access to the main legal collections and databases.

A reception for new students was held at Fetter Lane on 26 September. Library staff participated in the Inn’s Advocacy Day by running two legal research qualifying sessions. The Deputy Librarian also participated in the Inn’s Introductory Evening for London students and in freshers’ week events and presentations on the Inns’ Libraries at City Law School and the University of Law. The first of a series of database training sessions will take place on 1 October - these will cover Bloomsbury Law Online and will be carried out by the database provider.

7. Information Technology

The IT Department have finished the first half of the Windows 10 upgrade project, which involved creating a standard Windows 10 build that could then be applied to all Inner Temple PCs. They are now in the process of rolling out this build to all staff PCs, laptops, and Library public access PCs. Work is continuing on converting the Collector's database into a remotely-hosted service.

8. International

The International Committee met on 10 July and considered requests for support of Foreign and Commonwealth Office training in Sri Lanka; the British Council’s Future Leaders Connect Programme; Gandhi commemorative events in Delhi; and a visit by Brazilian judges. Inner Temple was represented by our member Ramakrishnan Viraraghavan in Delhi while Master Hill made a presentation to the Brazilian visitors on 6 September.

A roundtable discussion with representatives from Argentina and Brazil took place at the Law Society on 11 July to discuss possible future training – this stemmed from a dinner for Latin American Ambassadors held at Inner Temple last autumn. Master Korner led the Inner Temple presence. A follow-up meeting with representatives of the Argentine Ministry of Justice and Embassy was attended by Master Griffiths and the Sub-Treasurer on 19 August. Masters Korner and Griffiths also attended a reception with Argentine lawyers at the Ambassador’s Residence on 5 September.

Master Treasurer visited Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia between 7 and 21 September 2019, accompanied by Lady Hughes and the Sub-Treasurer. In each location he met senior legal figures and Inner Temple members; exchanged information and best practice on current legal matters; and lectured on issues relating to the rule of law. A fuller report has been prepared for the Executive Committee and International Committee.

A second judicial training visit to Odessa, Ukraine, organised with the European Union Advisory Mission, took place on 24-25 September with Master Korner as lead trainer, alongside Master Aldous, Master Griffiths, Master Lawson, Master Soole and Judge Mark Ockelton (Lincoln’s Inn).

9. Gardens

A Red Cross fundraising event took place in the Garden on 22 September as part of their Open Gardens scheme. Some 120 visitors participated in less than ideal weather.

10. The Temple Church and its Music

Liz Clarke’s retirement drinks took place in the Master’s Garden on 23 July.

11. Archives

The Sub-Treasurer will speak to the History Society about members of Inner Temple who became diplomats in the Temple Church on the 23 November. An exhibition marking the centenary of the Removal of the Sex Disqualification Act 1919 celebrating the achievements of our women members will be placed on the website in December. The oral history project continues with a joint venture with 1COR which will include some of our interviews in a compilation podcast.

An exhibition was organised by the High Court in Calcutta to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Gandhi’s birth and a number of copies of documents from the Inner Temple Archives featured. An edition of the Quarterly Bar Review, a journal published by the Delhi High Court Bar Association, was dedicated to Gandhi and documents from the Archive were reproduced in the journal. In September the editor Anish Dayal, an attorney at the High Court in Delhi, visited the Inn and in the Sub-Treasurer’s absence met with the Director of the Treasury Office.

12. Council of the Inns of Court/Bar Standards Board

On 11 July the BSB conditionally authorised the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) to deliver its new two-part Bar Course. The conditions of authorisation are that the ICCA’s application for registration with the Office for Students is approved (this is currently on track) and that thereafter a contract is entered in to with the BSB to deliver the authorised course. Subject to these final steps, the ICCA will take applications from December 2019 from students wishing to embark on the two-part course from September 2020.

Discussions are almost complete on the final version of the Education and Qualification Rules which will replace the Consolidated Rules of the Inns of Court. This will be sent to the Inns for final approval by the end of November 2019.

The Bar Student Application Service is now closed and will no longer be operating. All applications will need to be made to the institutions directly.

13. In Memoriam

Master Glass (Anthony Glass QC) sadly died on 11 July. The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast on 18 July in his memory. A memorial service took place at Middle Temple on 14 September.

Master Gardner (Professor John Gardner) also sadly died on 11 July. The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast on 19 July in his memory. A funeral service was held at All Souls College Chapel on 25 July.
Master Williamson (Stephen Williamson QC) sadly died on 24 July. The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast on 26 July in his memory. Master Williamson was Treasurer of the Inn in 2007.

Master Drinkwater (Sir John Drinkwater QC) sadly died on 13 August. The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast on 20 August in his memory.

Master Cretney (Dr Stephen Cretney) sadly died on 30 August. The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast on 3 September in his memory.

Details of memorial services for the above Benchers will be circulated as appropriate in due course.

The Inn is most grateful to Masters of the Bench for continuing to inform us of the deaths of members and Benchers of the Inn to ensure that our records are kept up to date and notices are issued. Please contact the Executive Assistant to the Sub-Treasurer, Jennie Collis Price, with any details.

Greg Dorey CVO

Sub-Treasurer

Bio

Mr Dorey has had a distinguished career in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, serving at various times as Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union; and to Hungary; plus spells as Deputy Head of Mission in Hong Kong and Pakistan. He holds a Masters degree in Modern History from Exeter College, University of Oxford.

Jennie Collis Price

Head of the Sub-Treasurer's Office

Bio

Sub-Treasurer, Treasurer, Executive Committee, Bench Table, Bencher Elections, international events, International Committee, Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity Sub-Committee

Greg Dorey CVO

Sub-Treasurer

Bio

Mr Dorey has had a distinguished career in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, serving at various times as Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union; and to Hungary; plus spells as Deputy Head of Mission in Hong Kong and Pakistan. He holds a Masters degree in Modern History from Exeter College, University of Oxford.

Jennie Collis Price

Head of the Sub-Treasurer's Office

Bio

Sub-Treasurer, Treasurer, Executive Committee, Bench Table, Bencher Elections, international events, International Committee, Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity Sub-Committee

Greg Dorey CVO

Sub-Treasurer

Bio

Mr Dorey has had a distinguished career in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, serving at various times as Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union; and to Hungary; plus spells as Deputy Head of Mission in Hong Kong and Pakistan. He holds a Masters degree in Modern History from Exeter College, University of Oxford.

Jennie Collis Price

Head of the Sub-Treasurer's Office

Bio

Sub-Treasurer, Treasurer, Executive Committee, Bench Table, Bencher Elections, international events, International Committee, Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity Sub-Committee