Inner Temple - Structure and Governance

Structure and Governance

The Temple is governed by the Parliament, an executive council made up of the elected Benchers. The Parliament is led by the Treasurer, who is elected annually to serve a one-year term; the current Treasurer is Jonathan Hirst QC and the immediate past Treasurer is Lady Justice Hallett DBE. The Temple also has a Reader, who traditionally holds the position for a year before being made the Treasurer; the current Reader is Simon Thorley QC

Inner Temple was historically governed by a Treasurer and three Governors. Members were divided into two categories; Clerks (Clerici) admitted to Clerks' Commons and Fellows Socii admitted to Fellows' Commons. The Governors held Parliament with a small group of senior barristers; in 1508, for example, Parliament was held with three Governors and four senior barristers. The last Governor was elected in 1566, and Benchers took over later that century. Benchers, or Masters of the Bench, are elected members of the Parliament responsible for overseeing the estates, the Inn's finances and setting internal policy. Today there are approximately 200 governing Benchers (barristers and members of the judiciary) and honorary, academic and Royal Benchers appointed as well as those practising in other jurisdictions.