Inns of Court

an English name for a college or building in which law students are lodged and taught. It is now restricted to the four inns of court in London. These establishments appear to combine the characteristics of law schools and regular fraternities. They appear to have been originally inns for students who desired to be near the courts of law. The four inns are Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Middle Temple, and Inner Temple. Each one consists of a governing body known as benchers, of barristers, or lawyers who have been admitted to the bar, and students. They have extensive buildings, with chambers, lecture rooms, large halls of assembly, and dining halls. Students are required to pay fees. After three years' residence they are entitled to an examination for admission to the bar. The exclusive right to examine students and admit them to the bar is given to these four inns. A student may, of course, choose his inn, as he would choose his law school; but he cannot be admitted to the bar in London without joining one of the inns.