Inner Temple and
Middle Temple, which occupy an area in
London known as
The Temple, describe themselves as liberties based on
letters patent from 1608 and retain a large degree of independence to the present day. They are
extra-parochial areas, historically not governed by the
City of London Corporation, and are today regarded as local authorities for most purposes. They are also outside the
ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the
Bishop of London. They geographically fall within the boundaries of the
City of London, but can be thought of as independent
enclaves. The local government functions of the Inner and Middle Temples are allocated by the
Temples Order 1971 (
SI 1971/1732) which provides that the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple may exercise any function of an
Inner London borough defined in either of ss.1(4) or 6
London Government Act 1963 which is not expressly excepted by an act or order. Exceptions in the Temples Order 1971 include various matters associated with housing, planning, public welfare and health; the effect is usually to direct such excepted powers or responsibilities to the Common Council of the City of London. The
City of London Police have policed the Temples since 1857 by consent rather than by imposition. ==List of liberties==