Dining Customs and Procedures for Masters of The Bench

Guests

1. The Treasurer alone may invite guests to Grand Day.

2. Benchers may introduce to dine on a Private Guest Night, a guest who has attained the age of 18, who is not their spouse or partner, who is not a member of The Inner Temple practising as a Barrister in England or Wales (this rule may be waived with the prior agreement of the Treasurer), and who is not a Student of any of the Inns of Court.

3. Guests will be seated near to their host.

4. There is no limit to the number of Private Guest Nights which a Master of the Bench may attend.

5. A Master of the Bench may introduce their spouse or partner as a guest to dine on Benchers’ Night. There is no limit to the number of Benchers’ Nights which a Master of the Bench may apply to attend; where, however, a Benchers’ Night is over-subscribed, priority will be given to Masters of the Bench who have not attended an earlier Benchers’ Night in the same calendar year.

The Master of the Bench who is to take the chair

6. At dining events, if the Treasurer and Reader are both absent, the Senior Bencher present shall take the chair, even if they are no longer a Governing Bencher.

Duties of the Junior Master of the Bench at Dinner

7. When there is to be the Loyal Toast, the procedure shall be as follows: Master Treasurer: “Master (the Junior Master of the Bench present), the King”. All those present rise. The junior Master of the Bench present: “Master Treasurer, the King”. All those present: “The King”.

Committee Information Committees

Secretaries

Advocacy Training Committee Education Programme Manager (Pupils & New Practitioners)

Archives Committee Archivist

Bar Liaison Committee Director of the Treasury Office

Bencher Nomination Committee Sub-Treasurer

Bench Table Sub-Treasurer

Church Committee Under-Treasurer of Middle Temple

Circuits Liaison Membership Registrar

Education & Training Committee Director of Education

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee Head of the Sub-Treasurer’s Office

Estates Committee Director of Properties & Surveyor

Executive Committee Sub-Treasurer

Finance Sub-Committee Collector

International Committee Head of the Sub-Treasurer’s Office

Investment Sub-Committee Collector

Library Committee Librarian

Pegasus Scholarships Trust Pegasus Trust Co-ordinator

Pension Scheme Trustees Collector

Qualifying Sessions Committee Education Programme Manager (Pre-Pupillage)

Student Engagement & Support Committee Education Engagement Co-ordinator

Scholarships & Outreach Committee Outreach & Scholarships Manager

Treasurer Nomination Committee Sub-Treasurer