Talk:Bencher

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Talk:Bencher

It is completely incorrect to say that junior barristers are emembers of the inner bar. This is topsy turvy. When becomes a Senior Counsel, one joins the inner bar.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ourlad (talk • contribs) 15:59, 10 January 2007.

Well, the cited reference from the Inner Temple describes the historical position thus:

... students took part in vocational exercises known as moots ... At first the students watched the proceedings from within the 'bar' of the 'court', and were known as 'inner barristers' (a term which fell out of use). When qualified to argue points of law, they moved outside the 'bar' and became outer (or utter) barristers. ... They were subsequently entitled to sit on the bench at moots and became known as Masters of the Bench (or Benchers). ...

Do you have any references for senior or leading counsel being described as the "inner bar"? (Incidentally, you can sign your posts on talk pages with four tildes, thus: ~~~~). -- ALoan (Talk) 16:28, 10 January 2007 (UTC)