Charities Administered Icw The Honourable Society Of The Middle Temple

Charity Number: 314246

Annual Expenditure: £1.5M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £1,400,000+ (scholarships)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Applications November, decisions by May (6 months)
Grant Range: £1,000 - £28,000
Median Award: £10,250
Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: Ashley Building, Middle Temple Lane, London, EC4Y 9BT

Phone: 020 7427 4800

Email: c.eguren@middletemple.org.uk

Website: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-training/scholarships

Overview

Charity 314246, operating as “Charities Administered ICW The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple,” was registered on 3 June 1966 with the charitable purpose of awarding scholarships to intending practitioners at the Bar of England and Wales. With annual grant expenditure of approximately £1.46 million, the charity administers 16 linked scholarship funds including the Middle Temple Scholarship Fund and Alfred Harmsworth Memorial Fund. The charity awards scholarships purely on merit - assessing advocacy skills, intellectual ability, and future potential as a barrister - but determines award amounts based on applicants' financial circumstances. Middle Temple is distinctive as the only Inn of Court to interview all scholarship applicants without shortlisting, demonstrating a commitment to fair access. The charity is governed by five trustees including senior judges and King's Counsel.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bar Course Scholarships: £1,000 - £28,000

Median award: £10,250
Total annual distribution: £1.2+ million
For students undertaking the Bar Course
Merit-based awards with amounts determined by financial need
Application method: Online application, fixed deadline (first Friday of November)

GDL Scholarships: £1,000 - £28,000

Total annual distribution: £211,750
For students undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law
Same merit-based assessment criteria as Bar Course awards
Application method: Online application, fixed deadline

Top-Tier Awards: £20,000 - £28,000

Awarded to the most outstanding candidates regardless of financial circumstance
Highest scholarship in 2025: £28,000

Financial Need Awards: Variable amounts

For talented aspiring barristers requiring financial support
Award amounts calibrated to self-reported financial circumstances

Minimum Awards: £1,000

For candidates who report no financial need but demonstrate exceptional merit

Priority Areas

Eligible Applicants:

Individuals intending to undertake pupillage at the Bar in England and Wales
Individuals committed to practicing at the Bar in England and Wales
Students undertaking Bar Course (full-time or part-time)
Students undertaking GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law)
Applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and circumstances
No requirement to be a Middle Temple member at time of application (membership required before payment)

Assessment Criteria:

Intellectual ability: Demonstrated through academic performance, application form, interview, and other relevant experience - ability to conduct legal research and provide written legal advice
Motivation to succeed at the Bar: Knowledge of the legal profession and Courts in England and Wales, plus steps taken to develop barrister skills (court visits, mini-pupillages, mooting)
Advocacy skills: Assessed during interview process
Future potential: Likelihood of successful career as a barrister

What They Don't Fund

Individuals not intending to practice at the Bar of England and Wales
Those not undertaking the Bar Course or GDL
Retrospective funding for courses already completed
Applicants who have applied to multiple Inns of Court (can only apply to one)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (5 total)

HHJ Tony Alan Walter Baumgartner - His Honour Judge
Louise Clare McCullough
Andrew Phillip Burns KC - King's Counsel
Evan Price
Jessica Margaret Poppaea Simor KC - King's Counsel

The trustee board comprises senior members of the legal profession including sitting judges and King's Counsel, ensuring decisions are informed by deep understanding of Bar training requirements and professional standards.

Governance Structure

Gift Aid recognized charity
Policies include financial controls, risk management, and conflict of interest procedures
Commitment to equal opportunities: ensures fair treatment irrespective of sex, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, and social background

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application forms available on Middle Temple website

Key Deadlines:

Bar Course Scholarships: First Friday of November (for courses starting the following September)
GDL Scholarships: First Friday of November

Timing for Different Student Types:

Full-time students: Apply in September-November of the year before course starts
Part-time students: Apply in September-November before first year OR before second year

Application Requirements:

Complete online application form demonstrating intellectual ability and motivation
Self-report financial circumstances (for needs-based award sizing)
Attend interview (all applicants interviewed)

Pre-Application Notes:

You can only apply to one Inn of Court
You do NOT need to be a Middle Temple member to apply
You must join Middle Temple before receiving scholarship payment

Decision Timeline

November: Application deadline (first Friday)

November-April: Interview period (15-minute interviews conducted by panels of three senior Inn members)

May: Award decisions announced

Total timeline: Approximately 6 months from application deadline to decision

Interview Format:

15 minutes per interview
Panel of three senior Inn members from mixed practice areas
Choice of in-person or remote interviews offered
Middle Temple is the only Inn to interview all applicants without shortlisting - distinctive feature ensuring fair access

Notification: Awards announced in May

Success Rates

Specific success rate data (number of applicants vs. awards made) is not publicly disclosed. However:

Middle Temple distributes £1.4+ million annually in scholarships
Interviews all applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria
Awards range from £1,000 to £28,000
The practice of interviewing all applicants (rather than shortlisting) suggests a more inclusive approach than other Inns

Reapplication Policy

No specific information found regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful candidates. Applicants should contact the scholarships office directly at c.eguren@middletemple.org.uk for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Merit-Based Assessment

While the award of scholarships is based purely on merit, the size of awards is determined by financial circumstances. This means:

All successful applicants are deemed meritorious
Financial need determines whether you receive £1,000, £10,250, or £28,000
Demonstrating both merit AND need maximizes award potential

Intellectual Ability Demonstration

The scholarship panel assesses intellectual ability through multiple lenses:

Academic performance: School and university examination results
Application form quality: Written articulation of legal research and advice capabilities
Interview performance: Demonstrated analytical thinking
Relevant experience: Other experiences showing legal research and writing ability

Strategic tip: Don't rely solely on grades - use the application form and interview to showcase practical application of intellectual skills.

Motivation Evidence

Middle Temple specifically looks for:

Knowledge of the profession: Understanding of what barristers do, the court system, professional challenges
Knowledge of the Courts: Familiarity with court structure and processes in England and Wales
Steps taken to develop skills: Concrete actions demonstrating commitment

Effective evidence of motivation:

Court visits (documented with reflections)
Mini-pupillages (with learning outcomes)
Mooting experience (with achievements)
Other practical steps to acquire barrister skills

The Interview Matters

Since Middle Temple interviews every applicant without shortlisting:

The interview is a critical differentiator
15 minutes is limited time - prepare concise, impactful responses
Panels include members from mixed practice areas - demonstrate broad professional awareness
Advocacy skills are specifically assessed - this is your chance to demonstrate them in real-time

Financial Transparency

While some applicants may hesitate to disclose financial need:

Self-reporting financial circumstances only affects award amount, not whether you receive one
Being transparent about genuine need can increase award from £1,000 to £28,000
The panel determines award sizes based on reported circumstances
There's no penalty for honesty about financial situation

Equal Opportunities Commitment

Middle Temple explicitly welcomes applications from all backgrounds with no age limit. The scholarship program actively aims for fair treatment across:

All demographic characteristics
All social backgrounds
All ages (no upper or lower limit)

Strategic insight: Don't self-select out due to perceived “non-traditional” background - the program is designed for inclusivity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: This funder provides scholarships to individuals (aspiring barristers), not organizations. The following guidance is for individual applicants:

Unique interview opportunity: Middle Temple is the only Inn to interview all applicants - this levels the playing field and rewards interview performance, not just paper credentials
Merit opens the door, need determines amount: Focus application on demonstrating intellectual ability, motivation, and advocacy potential; be transparent about financial circumstances to maximize award size
Demonstrate, don't just describe: Show motivation through concrete actions (court visits, mini-pupillages, mooting) rather than abstract statements of interest
Timeline planning: Apply in September-November for courses starting the following September; decision in May provides clear planning window
Single application rule: Choose your Inn carefully - you can only apply to one, so Middle Temple's commitment to interviewing everyone may appeal to those who interview stronger than they appear on paper
No membership barrier to applying: Don't let lack of Middle Temple membership deter application - you only need to join before receiving payment, not before applying
Median award is £10,250: While awards range from £1,000 to £28,000, expect mid-range awards for most successful applicants with moderate financial need