On Thursday 16 October 2003 the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Gavyn Arthur, unveiled a commemorative plaque at Paternoster Square to mark the start of the reconstruction works for the return of Temple Bar to the City of London. The Bar is an international symbol of English Common Law.
Alderman Gavyn Arthur is the 675th Lord Mayor of the City of London and he is the first practising Barrister to become Lord Mayor. Alderman Arthur is Head of the Corporation of London, which has funded the return of Temple Bar to the City of London.
“As a practising Barrister with chambers in Middle Temple, I recognise the significance of the return of Temple Bar to the City of London. It will showcase how the ancient and modern can sit side by side in the world’s leading international financial centre and will be a constant reminder of the central role that the law plays in the City of London.”
Alderman Gavyn Arthur, Lord Mayor of the City of London.