Geeklawyer (and CharonQC among others) recently posted about the contemplated merger of Inner and Middle Temple Libraries. They have now gone public on this with Vivian Westwood QC the treasurer of Inner Temple making a public statement that they are considering the idea and consulting.
In the words of dear colleague “Consulted?! ARSE! I say sir. Arse!”
While Geeklawyer would, as a delicate and gentile fellow, not use such intemperate language one cannot but help feel that this is New-Labour style consultation: “We have made a policy decision to slaughter the first born. Now lets make everyone agree and if they don’t we’ll do it anyway; sod ‘em.” That may be unfair and it may not be true; but it does smell awfully like a plan being towed behind a very large fast moving steam-roller.
You may not have been in Inner Temple Library recently. Geeklawyer has, although not in Middle. but it is a marvelous place. Not for nothing did it win the 2007 Halsbury award.
Inner Temple Librarians Ladies
Geeklawyer wishes that his local public library or even his own Inn library were this switched on: they have their own Facebook page, wiki’s, wifi (yea, we’re looking at you Lincoln’s Inn Library: Wi-Fi!)
The helpful Librarian have been praised before so Geeklawyer wont go on about them again.
This tosh must be stopped. Contact the misguided treasurers of Inner Temple (here) and of Middle Temple (here).
What?!?! The horrors! I did my dissertation research in the Inner Temple library–the staff were wonderful, the material excellent and accessible, and the breezes from the open window were a nice change from the recycled air of the British Library. And then the opportunity to find the local pub and watch bankers/barristers drink warm ale in their wool suits while I had a gin and tonic (this was the hottest summer in london in recorded history)–wonderful!
I agree: consultation these days is almost without exception simply a process, a procedure to be got through, to be treated either as an irritating cause of delay; or else “proactively” and positively as a tool for making it look as though the decision you’ve already taken has support or is in some way considered.
This is a dispiriting, depressing proposal.
It would be interesting to know how much the consultation process will cost the Inn. Consultants don’t come cheap. Is this really the best way that the Inns should spend their money? Or should they use that money to invest in the libraries?