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Which Inns of Court must a person join to become a barrister in England and Wales?

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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew stands at a podium speaking, with an ASEAN emblem and flags visible in the background. — Legal profession Lee Kuan Yew, 1987.

To become a barrister in England and Wales, a prospective lawyer must be a member of one of the four Inns of Court. These historic institutions hold the exclusive right to call individuals to the bar.12

The four Inns of Court are:

Inner Temple12
Middle Temple12
Lincoln’s Inn12
Gray’s Inn12

In addition to joining one of these societies, a candidate must complete a program of academic study, undergo vocational and professional training (pupillage), and satisfy traditional requirements, such as attending a specified number of formal dinners at their respective Inn.1