Pass the bar

Posted by David FG on May 18, 2009 at 17:12

In Reply to: Pass the bar posted by Geoff Juckes on May 18, 2009 at 14:38:

: What is the origin of "pass the bar" for lawyers ? It has been suggested to me that it comes from holding court in a tavern or pub. Any truth to that?

Absolutely none. The bar of the court (which these days exists only figuratively) divides those who sit within it - the officers of the court, including solicitors and Queen's Counsel - from those who sit beyond it - the rest. Junior Counsel (most barristers fall within this category) stand at the bar, hence the name.

Of course, the above only applies in its detail to the courts of England and Wales, but the terminology has been adopted by jurisdictions which adopted the English system as their model.

DFG

DFG

• Pass the bar Smokey Stover 20/May/09