Editing Middle Temple (section)

=== Liberty ===

Middle Temple (like the Inner Temple) is one of the few remaining [[Liberty (division)|liberties]], an old name for a geographic division. It is an independent [[extra-parochial area]],<ref>[https://www.middletemple.org.uk/archive/history/eighteenth-century-stagnation-and-neglect Middle Temple website]</ref> historically not governed by the [[City of London Corporation]]<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/localact1996/pdf/ukla_19960004_en.pdf City of London (Approved Premises for Marriage) Act 1996] "By ancient custom the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple exercise powers within the areas of the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple respectively ('the Temples') concerning (''inter alia'') the regulation and governance of the Temples"</ref> (and is today regarded as a local authority for most purposes)<ref>[https://www.middletemple.org.uk/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Local+authority Middle Temple as a local authority] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930021928/http://www.middletemple.org.uk/the_inn/middle-temple-as-a-local-authority.html |date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> and equally outside the [[ecclesiastical jurisdiction]] of the [[Bishop of London]]. The Middle Temple's functions as a local council are set out in the [[Temples Order 1971]].<ref>{{Whatdotheyknow.com|http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/119646/response/291403/attach/2/Temples%20Order%201971.pdf|Temples Order 1971|119646|Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple|16 September 2012}}</ref>

It geographically falls within the boundaries and wards of the City.

Some of the Inn's buildings (those along Essex Street, Devereux Court and the Queen Elizabeth Building near the Embankment) lie just outside the liberty of the Middle Temple and the City's boundary, and are actually situated in the [[City of Westminster]]. Quadrant House (7–15 Fleet Street) was acquired by the Middle Temple in 1999, and after five years of conversion is now a barristers' chambers.<ref>[http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/szo/szo107.html Building talk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205025429/http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/szo/szo107.html |date=5 December 2008 }} Major £12m Fleet Street refurbishment (2005)</ref> This lies outside the liberty (though immediately adjacent to it) but is within the City of London.