The Library is primarily a reference only library with open access to the majority of collections.
We aim to provide a comprehensive range of modern English legal materials designed to meet the needs of practising barristers and Bar students.
Core collection
Our core collection includes primary, secondary and local legislation, law reports, legal journals and magazines, encyclopaedias, textbooks, and legal databases. Old editions of textbooks are retained and can be consulted on request.
We also have a collection of Northern Irish law and law reports and have a good Human Rights collection.
Subject Specialisms
In addition to their core holdings of English law, the Inns of Court Libraries operate a subject specialism scheme (PDF). Under the scheme, the four Inn Libraries divide responsibility for jurisdictions outside England and Wales and for certain specialist subjects within English law. Commonwealth law (PDF) is covered by Inner Temple and Lincoln’s Inn, US and EU law by Middle Temple. Lincoln’s Inn also maintains a full collection of parliamentary materials. Barristers may use any of the Inn Libraries.
Gray’s Inn Library’s key specialism is international law. International textbooks can be found within the main classified textbook sequence located in Bays II-V and international journals are shelved upstairs in the North Library. We provide comprehensive coverage of international treaties and public international law topics as well as materials relating to international arbitration.
Special Collections
The Library also holds several special collections, including:
Accredited researchers should make a manuscript or rare book request to the Director of Library Services if they wish to consult any of the Inn’s collections.
The Griffin Collection
The Griffin Collection is a curated selection of legal histories, biographies and non-academic legal texts which Library users are able to loan for two weeks. The full collection can be found in Bay XXXIV of the Library.
New titles
New titles are regularly added to the Library’s collection. You may submit suggestions for new titles to the Director of Library Services for consideration, but please note that suggested titles will not necessarily be purchased automatically.
Donations
We are always delighted to accept donations from authors of legal texts. All donations are acknowledged with a special bookplate and an announcement.