Inns of Court, the name given to certain voluntary societies which have the exclusive right of calling persons to the English bar. These societies had their origin in the 13th century, when the clergy ceased to practise in the law-courts, and their place was taken by lay professors, 'apprentices,' and students of law who congregated in the neighbourhood of Westminster. There are four Inns of Court—Lincoln's Inn, the Inner Temple, the Middle Temple, and Gray's Inn. Each possesses a dining-hall, library, and chapel, the Temple Church being used as a chapel by both the societies which take their name from the buildings which once belonged to the Knights Templars. Each inn derives a considerable income from houses and chambers occupied by barristers and others, and each is governed by an irresponsible body called the Benchers. New members of this body, who are usually judges or senior counsel, are chosen by the existing members. The inns possess equal privileges; since 1855, when a royal commission reported on their revenues and constitution, they have joined in providing lectures for the benefit of students, and in examining candidates for admission to the bar. They have discretion to admit or refuse any candidate without assigning their reasons; but no objection is made to the admission of any person of good character. Each inn exercises discipline over its own members, and has power to disbar them—i.e. to withdraw from them the right to practise; but there is an appeal to the judges from the decision of the benchers. The right of disbaring is exercised only in the case of persons guilty of criminal offences or gross professional misconduct; a formal inquiry is held, but the results of the investigation are not made public. Serjeants' Inn was formerly a society composed of barristers and judges belonging to the 'order of the coif;' but this inn was abolished in 1877. The smaller societies, sometimes called Inns of Chancery, have never been of any great importance; their buildings have passed into the possession of one or other of the inns of court, or have become the property of small private societies of solicitors, &c. Staple Inn and Clement's Inn are interesting by reason of the collegiate character of their buildings. For further information, see the Report of the Commission of 1855. The steward of any of the inns of court will furnish intending candidates for the bar with information as to the terms of admission, &c. See BARRISTER, and Pearce's History of the Inns of Court (1848).
The society known as the King's Inns in Dublin performs the duties of an inn of court in relation to the Irish bar. The Scottish bar is organised on an entirely different plan (see ADVOCATE).