Description: The 4 Inns of Court are historic wonders – and modern day societies. They were founded after Edward I made an order in 1292 in Council. In order to become and stay a barrister, you have to join one of the Inns and be called to the Bar by it. Until you are called you cannot practise as a barrister.
The Inns contain buildings for the use of barristers – the Hall, bar, church, and library, and also buildings rented by sets of chambers. All barrister must be self-employed, but most join a set of chambers to share overheads such as clerks, utilities, books, experience, and for company. They also accept new barristers in the final stages of qualifying, pupils, in a type of apprenticeship.
The Inns provide meals (lunch and dinner, in Hall), and advocacy and other training, and financial support for new barristers. They also set the programmes for bar school, and participate in the Bar Council, which runs the profession. They are somewhat different in character "Inner for the rich man, Middle for the poor, Lincoln’s for the scholar, and Gray’s for the whore" as the Victorian ditty put it, and each fascinating in a different way.
To be called to the Bar, you must pass a law degree, the bar finals, and eat 12 dinners in your Inn’s Hall, conversing with other barristers and students. No dinners – no call...
Most dinners at the Inns of Court are private, but at some each term barristers can invite guests. If you have the chance, do go to one – they are fascinating. At my Inn, Middle Temple, dinners with guests are less formal (which means only 2 sets of Grace, one procession, and 2 toasts…) You can walk through the Inns during the day, but bear in mind you can’t go into all the buildings, as they are working places.
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