Event Type: Local / Community

Takes Place: 5th May 2026

Time: 18:00

Venue: The Inner Temple Lecture Theatre

Description: Title: The Reasonable Person Speaker: Dr Valentin Jeutner The talk presents the recently published biography of the common law’s “reasonable person.” In the book, Valentin Jeutner traces the development of this legal figure across time, legal fields, and countries. Beginning with legal figures in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the book explains how the reasonable person emerged during British industrialisation under the influence of Scottish Enlightenment thinking. Following the figure into colonial courts, battlefields, and debates about self-driving cars, the book argues that the reasonable person encourages judges and jurors to assess conduct by adopting another person’s perspective through empathy. The talk also highlights Sir Edward Hall Alderson, who introduced the standard in Blyth v. Birmingham Waterworks. In person and livestreamed from The Inner Temple, London Doors open: 5.30pm Lecture: 6pm - 7pm

How to book: www.innertemple.org.uk/reasonable-person Non-members: Please scroll beneath the Members Login box and click Add Ticket.

Price: In-person 13.55; Online free

Tel: 020 7787 8250

Email: members@innertemple.org.uk

Website: https://www.innertemple.org.uk/reasonable-person

Organiser: The Inner Temple

Lecturer: Dr Valentin Jeutner

Region: London