Hailsham silks honoured by Inn
July 2011 - Chambers is delighted to congratulate Martin Spencer QC and Michael Pooles QC on their election as Benchers of the Inner Temple.
Benchers, or (more formally) Masters of the Bench, are the highest level of member at each of London's four Inns of Court. They constitute the governing body and oversee the detailed affairs of their particular Inn.
Martin and Michael join Hailsham Chambers tenants Harvey McGregor QC, Bernard Livesey QC, Laurie West-Knights QC and David Pittaway QC who are also Benchers of their respective Inns.
Benchers are mostly elected from the Inn's membership; from those who are also senior members of the judiciary or Queen's Counsel. The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, which is home to in excess of 8,000 qualified members, is governed by more than 200 Benchers.
The term "bencher" only has a roundabout connection with the "bench" as in the judicial bench. In fact, the term comes from when the Inns evolved in the Middle Ages, when Moots or mock trials conducted in the halls were a key feature of the legal education of students. The halls were set out like a court and the senior members of the Inn took the part of the judges and sat on a bench.
.gif)
PLEASE NOTE The information and any commentary on the law contained on this web site is provided free of charge for information purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information and commentary accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by any member of Chambers. The information and commentary does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice to any person on a specific case or matter. You are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal advice from a lawyer about your case or matter and not to rely on the information or comments on this site. By accessing any of these articles you accept that you have no right or recourse against the providers of information on this web site.