Inns of Chancery. The colleges of the professors and students of the municipal and common law, are stiled Inns, an old English word, formerly used for the houses of noblemen, bishops, and persons of distinguished rank, and the eight Inns of chancery were probably thus denominated from there dwelling in them such clerks, as chiefly studied the forming of writs, which regularly belonged to the cursitors, who are officers in chancery. These are Lincoln’s Inn, New Inn, Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Staple’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, Furnival’s Inn, and Barnard’s Inn. These were formerly considered as preparatory colleges for younger students, many of whom were entered here, before they were admitted into the Inns of court; but now they are for the most part taken up by attorneys, sollicitors and clerks, who have separate chambers, and their diet at a very easy rate in an hall together, where they are obliged to appear in grave long robes, and black round knit caps. See the articles Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, &c.
Inns of Court, were so named, either from the students, who live in them, serving the courts of judicature; or, according to Fortescue, from these colleges anciently receiving none but the sons of noblemen, and gentlemen of high rank.
The Inns of court, are only four, viz. the two Temples, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn. See the articles Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn.
Though these societies are no corporation, and have no judicial power over their members, they have certain orders among themselves, which have by consent the force of laws: for small offences, they are only excommoned, or not allowed to eat at the common table with the rest; and for greater offences they lose their chambers, and are expelled the college, after which they are not to be received by any of the other three Inns of court.
As these societies are not incorporated, they have no lands or revenues, nor any thing for defraying the charges of the house but what is paid at admittance, and other dues for their chambers. The whole company of gentlemen may be divided into four parts, benchers, utter-barristers, inner-barristers and students.
The benchers are the seniors, who have the government of the whole house, and out of these are annually chosen a treasurer, who receives, disburses and accounts for all the money belonging to the house. See Serjeants Inn.
There are at present no mootings, or readings in any of the courts of Chancery. Chamberlain’s Present State.
It ought not to be omitted, that gentlemen may take chambers in the Inns of Court or Chancery, without laying themselves under an obligation to study the law.
A description of the structures and gardens belonging to these Inns we have given under their respective heads: but it may not be improper here to add, that strangers are apt to be disgusted at the nastiness of the walls, and the dirt and filth observable on all the stairs and public passages leading to the Inns of Court and Chancery: where every thing seems neglected, and generally out of repair: but on stepping into the chambers, one is surprised to see so remarkable a contrast; to observe the utmost neatness reign there, and the most handsome and commodious rooms, furnished and adorned with great elegance.
Dr. Blackstone in his discourse on the study of the law, gives us the following curious account of the changes and revolutions in this study, and of the origin of the several Inns of Court and Chancery.