Bench

Bench, the judge's seat at a court of justice, or the platform on which the seat is placed; hence the judges themselves. To the arrangement of the seats in the House of Lords is due the phrase, "the Bench of Bishops." In the Court of King's Bench, originally the king was supposed to sit in person and dispense justice. Benchers are the members of the governing bodies of the Inns of Court (q.v.).