The Inner Temple Today

Membership of The Inner Temple is divided into three categories: Students, Barristers and Masters of the Bench (Benchers). The Inn also appoints Honorary, Academic and Royal Benchers. The Inn has over 12,000 qualified members, including Judges, Barristers (both practising and non-practising) Pupils and Students. Each year approximately 400 students apply to join The Inner Temple with the intention of training for the Bar.

The Inn is governed by 327 governing Benchers, who are responsible for deciding the policy of the Inn, managing the property, and supervising finances.

The Treasury Office is the administrative hub and first port of call for those visiting the Inn. The department’s main function is to handle all membership applications and the records of over 12,000 members across the UK and in 78 countries around the world; organise a wide range of professional and cultural events a year; support events on Circuit; welcome visiting delegations from around the world; provide administrative and membership services for the Inn’s members, professional community, residents and visitors; produce the term newsletter, Innerview, and the Yearbook.  The department is also responsible for the silver and painting collections and for the interior upkeep of the Treasury Building. Friendly and approachable Treasury Office staff are also on hand to answer general enquiries, to deal with filming requests and to sell parking permits to those visiting the Inn or Chambers.

Education & Training is one of the primary functions of the Inn. We have a dedicated Education & Training Department with responsibilities ranging from educational outreach, the recruitment of undergraduates, the allocation of scholarships (worth a total of £1,736,306 per annum), the provision of student qualifying sessions and advocacy training for pupils and barristers.

Responsible for managing the Inn’s finances and investments, the Collector’s Department is also responsible HR and staff well-being.

The Surveyor's Department run the Inn's extensive property, dating back over several centuries, between Fleet Street and the Embankment. It comprises a large number of properties which are let out to barristers’ chambers and residential tenants, which provides the Inn with its main source of income.

Banqueting & Venue Hire of the Hall, function rooms, accommodation and garden is available for private or corporate hire throughout the year via the Inn's Catering Department. The rooms are also used every weekday by members of the Inn. During legal terms there are dinners on certain nights and lunch is available every weekday for members of the Inns.

The Inn’s Library is staffed by experienced information professionals and offers users access to a wide range of print and electronic resources in a comfortable working environment as well as an enquiry service and training in legal research. Additional Library services include: AccessToLaw, a gateway site providing annotated links to selected UK, Commonwealth and worldwide legal websites; a Current Awareness Weblog covering legal news, new case law and changes in legislation; legal research FAQs; a document supply service and Wi-Fi access. It also houses an important collection of manuscripts and historic letters including Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession (1553) and the earliest known depictions of the Royal Courts in session at Westminster (mid 15th century).

The Temple Church is jointly administered and maintained by the Inner Temple and Middle Temple and enjoys the status of a "Royal Peculiar" (a place of worship that falls directly under the jurisdiction of the British monarch, rather than a diocese). It is independent from the Diocese of London and the Master of the Temple is appointed directly by the Queen. The Temple Church is also home to the Temple Music Foundation which presents concerts throughout the year featuring the choirmen and choirboys of the world famous Temple Church Choir, as well as the now well established Temple Song series in Middle Temple Hall.