Bencher

Bencher, an important officer of the Inns of Court, which are regulated and controlled by a selected number of the benchers, who possess the power of admitting candidates as members and afterwards of calling such candidates to the bar, and of disbarring those who have been called. The benchers exercising these powers are chosen from time to time from those who have attained celebrity at the bar, and it is usual for a Queen's Counsel to be appointed a bencher on his attaining that rank. In addition to the above, the benchers exercise supervision and control over the professional conduct of all barristers who are members of their inn.