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.

Members & Barristers

The Library is open to members of Lincoln’s Inn and all members of the Bar of England and Wales, pupil barristers and clerks.

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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.

Bar Students

The Library and all Library Services are available to student members of any of the four Inns of Court.

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Researchers

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

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Using the Library

The Library and all its services may be used by members of Lincoln’s Inn, and all barristers & pupils based within its precincts. Barrister members of other Inns are welcome to use the Library to reference material but are not permitted to borrow.

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Two visitors sit at a desk at Lincoln's Inn Library, making notes in their exercise books. Books from the Library lie open on the desk in front of them. The visitor on the left (facing the camera) wears a navy, chequered suit, a white shirt and a tie with a black and red pattern. The visitor on the right wears a cardigan over a white blouse.

Opening hours

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

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Catalogue

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

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Collections

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

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Library Services

The Library team is pleased to offer a range of services, including printing & photocopying, book loans, Wi-Fi & internet access, word processing facilities and online databases. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are available to assist readers through until 7 pm on weekdays.

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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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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

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

Digitised records

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

Researching Past Members

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