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Library & Archives

The Library is a modern working legal reference library for use by members of Lincoln’s Inn and by the Bar as a whole.  It is staffed by experienced and qualified law librarians, who are always willing to help members and barristers whether in person or by phone or email.  As well as providing a full range of legal databases, it prides itself on the depth of its traditional printed collections.

Woman studying in the library

Barristers and students

The Library is open to members of Lincoln’s Inn and to the other three Inns of Court. It is also open to clerks, librarians and other staff employed by members.

Lincoln's Inn Librarian Mark Leonard helps a Library customer with an enquiry. The customer points to a passage in a handbook on a desk. Mark wears a purple cable knit jumper, a name badge, and a blue checkered shirt. The customer wears a black dress and a silver necklace.

Researchers

Researchers interested in viewing items from the Inn’s considerable historical collections are requested to apply to the Librarian.

Man doing some research

Legal Research FAQs

Checklist for legal researcher and links to further guidance.

Library shelves

Opening hours

Our hours are 9.00 to 19.00 Monday to Friday.  For further information, please see our Opening Hours page.

Books on the shelves

Catalogue

Our full catalogue is available online, with nearly all of the Library’s holdings listed.

Collections

Collections

The Library holds a considerable core collection, special collections and rare books and manuscripts.

Resources and research

Training

The Library team provides a range of training courses on legal resources and research, tailored to focused groups, but the team are also available to respond to specific training requests.

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Archive

About the Archive

The records in our Archives begin in 1422, with the earliest entries to our Black Books, documenting life at the Inn from its beginnings as an organisation of barristers.

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A signed black and white photograph of Cornelia Sorabji. She wears a long, flowing dress and sits in a chair.

Tales from the Archive

Black ink calligraphy writing on aged paper - an entry in the Black Book from 20 May 1696

Digitised records

Photograph of Mercy Ashworth, first woman to be called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, 1923

Researching Past Members