Legal Definitions - ancients

ANCIENTS

Ancients were senior members of the Inns of Court and Chancery, which were legal societies in England. In Gray's Inn, the ancients were the oldest barristers, while in the Middle Temple, they were those who had passed the readings. The Inns of Chancery had both ancients and students or clerks.

At Gray's Inn, the society was made up of benchers, ancients, barristers, and students under the bar. The ancients were the most experienced and respected members of the society.

In the Middle Temple, those who had passed the readings were called ancients. This meant that they had completed their legal education and were ready to practice law.

The examples show that ancients were highly regarded members of the legal societies in England. They were either the oldest or most experienced members, or those who had completed their legal education. The term "ancients" was used to distinguish them from other members, such as students or clerks.