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How did the Inns of Court help turn law into a profession in England?
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Common law
Henry II (left) disputing with Thomas Becket (center), miniature from a 14th-century manuscript; in the British Library (Cotton MS. Claudius D.ii).
The Inns of Court were instrumental in transforming law into a distinct profession in England by establishing a specialized, self-regulating system for legal education and practice.12
As the common law became increasingly intricate by the mid-13th century, a class of literate laymen emerged to dominate the legal field. The Inns of Court provided the necessary institutional framework for this development through several key functions:1
- Monopoly on Practice: The Inns exercised the exclusive right to admit individuals to practice before the royal courts through a formal "call to the bar," ensuring that only those with sufficient legal knowledge could represent clients.13
- Structured Training: Education was acquired through a demanding process of attending court, participating in mock legal arguments known as "moots," and attending lectures called "readings" delivered by senior lawyers (benchers).12
- Professional Standards: By requiring students to follow these rigorous studies, the Inns ensured that proficiency in the highly technical common law was maintained.1
- Development of Case Law: Students and lawyers studied actual court arguments, which were recorded in documents like the Year Books. This practice fostered a legal system built on precedent rather than university-taught Roman law.132