Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/156

 Education for the English Bar in the Inns of Court. order to have this count he must be present at grace before dinner, and remain till the concluding grace has been said. If he be a University man he need be present at only three dinners in a term, and many men keep terms while attending the university. It would seem that aside from these meals the candidate for a call need never go near his Inn, and that absolutely no part of his train-

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The examinations are of two grades,—the "pass" and the "honor" examinations, and cover jurisprudence, civil and international and English law. Passing the honor examin ations entitles the student to seniority in the Inns of Court. It usually takes three years before a stu dent is called to the bar, and after the call he is supposed to read for at least two years

THE FOUNTAIN IN THE TEMPLE. Front an engraving,

ing need be obtained under its direction. The purpose of keeping terms is to give the student a chance to be seen by the mem bers of the Inn before his name comes before the Benchers for a call. In order to qualify for a call the applicant must be twenty-one years of age, have kept twelve terms, have passed the public examin ation, and have had his name "screened" or posted in his Inn for fourteen days in the term previous to his call.

more in chambers, beside attending court, before he goes into practice for himself. This reading in chambers is usually divided as fol lows,—six months with a conveyancer, six months with a special pleader, six months with a chancery barrister, and six months more with a barrister whose practice is in that subject which the student has selected as his specialty. The old system, careful, thorough and eminently practical, has entirely passed away.